What is the Sage Perfect Press?

This is a premium sandwich toaster engineered to deliver café-quality results at home, without the common issue of squashed or flattened bread. Its standout feature is the innovative ‘crush control’ hinge, which utilises a counterweight system to apply minimal pressure, ensuring the sandwich is toasted to a golden crisp while the fillings remain fluffy and intact.

However, unlike other sandwich toasters, this design has fixed flat cooking surfaces rather than interchangeable ones, such as ridged panini plates or waffle irons. The focus here is purely on achieving top results rather than offering a wide range of culinary uses.

Priced at £99.95, this model sits at the higher end of the market, also evidenced by the weight and quality of the materials used. With basic sandwich toasters available for less than a third of the price, is this press worth the extra dough?

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I tested the sandwich press over several weeks using different styles of bread, including standard white sliced, sourdough and hefty seeded and rye breads. I buttered my bread on the outside and filled my sandwiches with a selection of popular fillings, making everything from tuna melts and prosciutto panini to baked beans and cheese toasties. I also reheated croissants and pizza to check for warmth and toasting versus squashing.

I evaluated how long the press took to heat up compared to other sandwich toasters, as well as how easy it was to operate, including using the crush control and lock features. I monitored the speed and evenness of the toasting and how well the filling melted without being flattened.

I also scored the toaster on the quality of its build and practicalities, such as the length of the cord and how easy it was to clean and pack away.

Score: 4.5/5

In terrible news for Traitors and Danny Dyer fans alike, the former Eastenders star has claimed he’s still waiting for the call up to join the next celebrity series of the show.

However, it looks like he and the BBC are yet to have any serious conversations, as the Bafta winner has now insisted the rumours about him donning a cloak for the next Celebrity Traitors are “absolute bollocks”.

Appearing on this Saturday’s Jonathan Ross Show, Danny told the host and previous Celebrity Traitor: “I don’t know why they’re saying it.”

“If they ask me I’ll do it, but no one’s asked me,” he added. “I would fucking declare it. I’m not on it, you’ll see when it comes on.”

Tabloids claimed Danny had been lined up to appear in the next series after watching the show made him want to take part, but BBC reps at the time wouldn’t comment.

The Celebrity Traitors will return to our screens later this year, and its renewal came as no great surprise given the first season’s huge success – raking in 14.8 million views on its opening night to become the biggest single episode on TV in 2025.

Caroline is based across Ware & Kay’s York, Wetherby and Malton offices, and will advise clients on key corporate and commercial decisions, including the purchase or sale of a business, the preparation of shareholder and partnership agreements, and the drafting of commercial contracts.

She will also provide guidance on corporate governance and business structuring.

Having studied at the University of York she qualified as a solicitor in 1993. Caroline has previously worked as a corporate solicitor in London and Southampton, most recently within her own family firm, where she advised a diverse client base across multiple sectors.

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Caroline brings over three decades of experience advising large, medium and small businesses on a wide range of commercial and corporate matters. She is particularly known for her work with owner-managed businesses.

Caroline said: “I enjoy working closely with businesses on their commercial and corporate matters, helping them navigate key legal decisions in a practical and clear way. I am delighted to have joined Ware & Kay and to be supporting clients across the region as part of such a well-respected firm.”

Ware & Kay MD David Hyams, said: “We are pleased to welcome Caroline to our Commercial & Corporate Services team. Her extensive experience, particularly with independently run businesses, will be a tremendous asset to our clients. Caroline’s practical and clear approach aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing outstanding client-focused legal advice.”

They had previously never touched grass, never known happiness, never known love and had been used solely for breeding.

Two West Highland Terriers, who were being looked after by the Scottish SPCA, have found their forever home – just in time for National Love Your Pet Day on February 20.

The newly-named Ripley and Rosa have been given a new loving home with Alan Muir, 51, his wife Amanda, 49, and their two sons Jack and Ben.

They came into the care of the Scottish SPCA’s Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Hamilton after a poor start in life – they had never touched grass, never known happiness, never known love, and had been used solely for breeding. The animal welfare charity rescued the pair and provided them with safety, shelter, food and veterinary treatment.

The next step was finding them a permanent home – and that is where Alan and Amanda came to the rescue. The family – who live in Cumbernauld – lost their beloved Westie, Woody, in August 2025 at the age of 16 after he was diagnosed with a heart murmur. At first, they could never imagine getting another dog.

However, inspired by his memory, Alan and Amanda are keeping Woody’s legacy alive – by giving not just one but two dogs a second chance at happiness. They contacted the Scottish SPCA about rehoming a dog and then came the call from Sharon in the rehoming and fostering team: “Would you consider a Westie? How about two?”

They had never imagined adopting another Westie through fear of replacing Woody. But they realised when they got that call that this was it – this was Woody’s Legacy.

“We knew immediately,” Alan explained. “It just felt right – almost like it was fate or a guiding paw from above. Woody was the most amazing dog and we didn’t want to replace him, but then we realised that would be impossible anyway because he isn’t really gone – he’s still with us. And we genuinely felt like he was encouraging us to open our hearts and our home to these poor pups.”

It was arranged that the family would come and meet the dogs at the centre. Speaking about the first visit, Amanda said: “They were both withdrawn and nervous – like they had given up on life – but even in that first meeting you could see them start to warm to us. The care they had been shown by the Scottish SPCA had already helped them on the road to recovery; they just needed someone to walk by their side and a happy place to call home.”

They initially started out fostering the dogs, which allowed the Scottish SPCA to remain involved and provide expert care and advice while the pair settled in. The family have since gone on to adopt the duo.

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Alan said: “We were overjoyed. We decided on new names for a new start – Ripley and Rosa. They remain inseparable and now they have a forever home. They have changed our lives and we have changed theirs. None of that would be possible without the Scottish SPCA.

“A huge thank you to everyone at the Lanarkshire centre, the Rehoming and Fostering team, the people on the frontline rescuing animals and the amazing army of caring, compassionate professionals behind the scenes.”

Inspired by Alan’s story? Visit the Scottish SPCA website to find the right furry or non-furry companion for you.

Please read further information on buying responsibly and protecting animal welfare.

To report any act of cruelty, visit the SPCA’s Contact Us page.

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I first cooked this at 18 and it is the tart I make more than any other. The recipe seems long, but is easy, and you produce something worthy of a French patisserie. The recipe, slightly adapted, is by the redoubtable Anne Willan, from her excellent book The Observer French Cookery School.

Requires 30 minutes chilling time 

Ornamental grass can add a range of textures and colours to the garden, but they need proper care. However, one common mistake can set you back a full year.

A gardening guru has warned fellow green-fingered enthusiasts that they could be trimming one particular type of plant incorrectly – potentially setting their garden back by an entire year. TikTok gardening whizz Michael Griffiths recently imparted his wisdom on maximising your ornamental grasses as spring approaches.

With an eye on the upcoming season, Michael urged fellow gardeners to inspect their ornamental grasses, as they may well require some attention. To extract the best performance from these plants, it’s essential to ensure you’re trimming them properly and during the appropriate period.

In a recent clip, Michael cautioned: “Prune your grasses the wrong way and it’ll set them back for the full year, so this is how you do it right.”

How to prune ornamental grass correctly

For those unfamiliar with ornamental grass, it differs from regular lawn grass as it’s predominantly cultivated to introduce visual texture, height, and a spectrum of hues to outdoor spaces. Ornamental grasses are adaptable and resilient, injecting movement, texture and visual impact into gardens of every description, practically throughout the year, reports the Express.

They’re straightforward to cultivate and demand minimal upkeep, though they do require occasional tender loving care. That said, Michael cautioned that they don’t all require pruning simultaneously.

To determine which ornamental grasses require trimming, you’ll need to establish whether they’re deciduous or evergreen varieties. The Royal Horticultural Society clarified that whilst deciduous grasses demand annual cutting back, evergreens merely need a light tidy-up.

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In his video, Michael pointed out that deciduous grasses die back and turn brown and brittle come late winter. He recommended that the optimal window for pruning these grasses falls between late winter and early spring.

The particular species dictates the precise timing for cutting back, though typically this falls anywhere from early to mid-spring. The RHS noted that ornamental grasses offer appealing structure throughout winter, so hold off on cutting back deciduous varieties until spring – but make certain this is done before fresh shoots appear.

Most deciduous varieties begin sprouting in early spring, though certain types like Pennisetum orientale are rather slower off the mark. The RHS highlighted that these aged stems serve to shield the crown from harsh weather, so postpone cutting back until late April.

Michael recommended trimming stems down to the base, roughly five to 10cm above ground level. The objective is to strip away all old stems and foliage entirely, thereby enabling fresh stems to flourish unimpeded.

It’s also worthwhile clearing away any stray stems and accumulated debris that’s built up around the area. To promote fresh growth, spread a general fertiliser before adding a generous layer of organic mulch around the grass clump.

Whilst deciduous grasses require a certain amount of trimming, the gardening expert highlighted that evergreen varieties are where many people slip up.

He explained: “But evergreen grasses which stay green all year are where people often go wrong, don’t cut these to the ground. Instead, gently comb through with your fingers or a hair comb to remove dry, tired leaves.”

Should any dead foliage or stems remain stubbornly attached, these will require individual removal with secateurs. Once you’ve tidied your evergreen grasses, spread organic mulch around the base and apply a general fertiliser to stimulate growth.

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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot believes the team’s set-piece performance has returned to “normal” following a significant improvement in recent weeks. The balance between goals conceded and scored from set-pieces had been a persistent problem for the club this season, culminating in the dismissal of individual development coach Aaron Briggs in late December due to ongoing under-performance in the role.

Since Briggs’ departure, the situation has improved markedly, though Slot was quick to clarify that this was not a reflection on the former coach. In the first 26 matches of the season, Liverpool conceded 13 goals from set-pieces while scoring only eight. However, in the subsequent 12 games following Briggs’ exit, they have conceded just two goals from set-pieces, maintaining their tally of eight scored.

“It would be very unfair to (blame) Aaron, who was partly responsible for that because, (because) in the end I’m responsible for everything,” said the Dutchman.

“We’ve been in that period of time (being) so unlucky. We all knew that it couldn’t go on like that because we hardly gave away a chance in set-pieces but every ball went in and we created multiple opportunities to score and the ball didn’t go in.

“So that things go back to normal now, it’s something which we expected. We didn’t change that much, maybe made one or two slight changes.

“What changed is things went back to normal, because in the Champions League I think we were number one in set-pieces.”

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Liverpool particularly struggled defensively against Premier League opposition set-pieces and that will be tested again at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, although interestingly five of their eight league goals against Forest since their return to the competition in 2022 have been scored from set-pieces.

In Vitor Pereira, Slot is facing his third different Forest manager in four matches but is still looking for his first win, having lost one and drawn one to Nuno Espirito Santo and been defeated by Sean Dyche at home earlier this season.

“Back then (in November) they were in a different management as well because I think it was Sean Dyche’s third or fourth game,” added Slot.

“That sometimes makes it a little bit more difficult because we only have (one game) to see if this manager changes personnel, changes tactics but we, of course, know him because he worked last season in the Premier League as well.

“It was a difficult game for us in the beginning of the season – the first half-hour was very good from us and then we conceded a set-piece and the game went completely the opposite way.

“We know what we can expect if we play Forest because I’ve played them three times already.”

The proposed changes to sentences relate to the offence of causing or allowing a child or vulnerable adult to die or suffer serious physical harm

The Department of Justice is considering its next steps on a proposal to make the offence of causing or allowing a child or vulnerable adult to die punishable by life imprisonment.

Publishing a summary of responses from a public consultation on the subject, Justice Minister Naomi Long thanked those who engaged with the consultation and for taking the time to provide such “comprehensive responses”.

“Legislation is put in place to serve and protect the public, so it is only right that the public has a say with regards to the development of legislation and policy. The responses will now play a key part in the next steps taken by my officials on this very important issue,” the minister said.

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The consultation posed a series of questions relating to the maximum sentences for the offence of causing or allowing a child or vulnerable adult to die or suffer serious physical harm. It proposed increasing the maximum sentence for causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable adult from 14 years to life imprisonment.

It further proposed increasing the maximum sentence for causing or allowing serious physical harm from 10 years to 14 years.

The Minister continued: “Overall, respondents overwhelmingly welcomed the proposal to increase the maximum custodial sentences for the offences. As these proposals require primary legislation, it is not my Department’s intention to bring forward these revised sentencing arrangements during the current Assembly mandate.

“Consideration will be given to identifying an appropriate legislative vehicle to bring them forward during the next mandate.”

Almost nine in 10 respondents (89%) to the consultation supported making the offence of causing or allowing a child or vulnerable adult to die punishable by life imprisonment.

A similar percentage approved of raising the maximum sentence for causing or allowing a child or vulnerable adult to suffer serious physical harm from 10 years to 14 years.

The proposed changes to sentences relate to the offence of causing or allowing a child or vulnerable adult to die or suffer serious physical harm.

It was enacted to deal with the situation where it was clear that one of a limited number of members of a household was responsible for the death or serious harm of a child or vulnerable adult (and there was no evidence that they acted jointly), but there was insufficient evidence to point to the particular person responsible. The offence means that, in such cases, all individuals can be charged.

The death or harm must be caused by an unlawful act; not from an accident or a natural cause, and the defendant must have been a member of the same household as the victim and had frequent contact with the victim.

The offence can also be used where one person caused the death or serious harm and another allowed it by failing to act to prevent it when they had a duty to protect the victim from harm. In such cases, both individuals can be charged.

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An amateur climber has been found guilty of gross negligent manslaughter after his girlfriend froze to death on Austria’s highest mountain.

The 37-year-old Austrian man was given a five-month suspended sentence and fined €9,400 (£8,200) by a court in Innsbruck on Thursday over the death of his girlfriend.

The 33-year-old died of hypothermia on Grossglockner mountain on 19 January last year.

The unusual case caught the attention of social media and has raised questions about the extent of legal liability in the mountains, which climbers generally explore at their own risk.

The Innsbruck Public Prosecutors’ Office claimed that the defendant should be regarded as the responsible guide because he, unlike his girlfriend, was already highly experienced with alpine high altitude tours and had planned the tour.

In line with local privacy laws, the court did not name the man.

It accused him of several errors including starting the climb too late in the day, not making an emergency call before nightfall and allowing her to use unsuitable equipment.

Defence lawyer Kurt Jelinek argued that all the accusations were unfounded and denied the defendant had a de facto leadership role during the climb, Austrian newspaper Der Standard reported.

What happened?

The court heard that the couple were around 50m below the summit of the Grossglockner mountain on a freezing winter’s night when she was exhausted and unable to go any further.

The prosecution alleged that although the couple were unable to continue their journey from approximately 8.50pm, the man did not make an emergency call and also did not give any distress signals when a police helicopter flew over around two hours later.

At around 2am, the defendant left his girlfriend exposed to strong winds without wrapping her in an emergency blanket or bivouac bag, which she had in her backpack, in an attempt to go and get help from a shelter on the mountain.

When asked why this was the case, he told the court the situation had been particularly stressful.

After calling mountain police at around 3.30am, a search was not triggered as the man did not make it clear the couple needed rescuing, and he failed to answer calls or WhatsApp messages asking if they needed help.

The defendant said his phone had been in airplane mode to save battery.

The defendant, who pleaded not guilty, told the court that he was “so terribly sorry”.

He said that the couple had made all their decisions together and had planned the climbs together, claiming his girlfriend’s mountaineering knowledge wasn’t far short of his own.

During questioning he claimed that he was already suffering from hypothermia and exhaustion and had secured his girlfriend to a rock with a sling before climbing on to get help, newspaper Der Standard reported.

He said when he turned back to lie down next to her she had told him to “go now, go!” which he claimed had “saved his life”.

Ex-girlfriend testimony

During the trial, prosecutors called the defendant’s ex-girlfriend as a witness.

She said they too had climbed Grossglockner in 2023, and said after an argument over the route he left her alone at night, crying as her headlamp ran out of battery.

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‘I do not see you as a murderer’

The presiding judge, Norbert Hofer, who is an experienced mountaineer, ruled the defendant should have realised his girlfriend would not be able to complete the climb well before they ran into difficulty.

He said she would almost certainly have survived “if the appropriate measures had been taken”, for example making an emergency call earlier or turning back.

He added that he was a better mountaineer than his girlfriend by “galaxies”, and that she had placed herself in his care.

But he said he did not see him “as a murderer” or as “cold-hearted”, acknowledging that he had gone to fetch help.

The verdict can be appealed.

Global Counsel, the advisory firm co-founded by Peter Mandelson, has collapsed into administration in the fallout from the scandal surrounding his historic links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, administrators have said.

This is a breaking story – more follows…