Firefighters were called to the property in Church Lane, Thornton le Dale, at 12.45pm on Wednesday (February 25).

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the crew from Pickering pumped the water out of the property and helped a Yorkshire Water engineer to isolate the burst main.

A service spokesperson said: “Crews used main pump, hard suction and a delivery pump to get water out of the property as well as a salvage sheet and small tools to assist a Yorkshire water engineer isolate the water.

“Once the water had stopped progressing into the property, crews left the incident.”

On 23 February 1981, a group of officers led by Tejero burst into the main chamber of the national parliament, wielding guns and threatening the politicians as a new government was being sworn in. Their aim was to return authoritarianism – six years after the death of the country’s dictator Francisco Franco.

York Central MP Rachael Maskell said the “web” surrounding child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associates “must be brought to book”.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, whose royal titles were removed in October 2025, was a known associate of Epstein’s and stepped down from his role as UK trade envoy – a position he held from 2001 – in July 2011.

It came after details of his friendship emerged following Epstein’s 18-month prison sentence for soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008.

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Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Thursday (February 19).

He has since been released under investigation and has previously denied any wrongdoing.

Rachael Maskell MP has called for more to be made clear surrounding Andrew’s appointment and time spent as trade envoy, along with the

‘Privilege must not be protected’

In a parliamentary debate held on Tuesday (February 24), Ms Maskell said “unaccountable power must not hide, privilege must not be protected”.

The debate was brought to the House of Commons by the Liberal Democrats, who demanded all papers relating to the creation of Andrew’s role as trade envoy, along with minutes and communications on the vetting of the former prince, be made public.

The motion also requested correspondence relating to advice from – or provided to – Peter Mandelson, another associate of Epstein’s who was also arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Monday (February 23).

‘This is the latest blow, in this shameful chapter’

The House passed the motion on Tuesday (February 24) without division.

Trade Minister Chris Bryant confirmed that the government will release the files “as soon as is practicable and possible within the law”.

He indicated that any documents potentially relating to the offence of misconduct in public office may be withheld.

Tom Gordon MP has welcomed the passing of his party’s motion in Parliament (Image: Supplied)

MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Tom Gordon, said he “welcomed” this news, which he said would “shine a light on Andrew’s dealings”.

He added: “This is the latest blow, in this shameful chapter.

“We’ll continue to call for transparency and restore trust in our political institutions.”

But Ms Maskell has called for more to be done.

She called the Liberal Democrats’ motion “narrow in scope”, adding: “Clearly the police investigation must take its course, and I am sure it will be deep and thorough because it runs so far, but ultimately, if we are just looking at the appointment, we must also ask about that period of time when Mr Mountbatten-Windsor carried out the role and the implications to wider networks.”

The death in Poynton is not being treated as suspicious

Police sealed off a pathway and area of woodland on Tuesday night (February 24) after a woman was tragically found dead. Officers and paramedics attended the incident off Woodside Lane in Poynton, Stockport.

Emergency crews were called to the scene shortly after 7pm to concerns for welfare reports regarding a woman. A woman, aged in her 60s, was found dead at the scene.

A number of incident response units and police cars were seen stationed along Woodside Lane following the incident, with a walkway and wooded area also cordoned off by police who were standing guard amid investigations.

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The death is not currently being treated as suspicious, Cheshire Constabulary said. A file is being prepared for the coroner.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Constabulary said: “At 7.05pm on Tuesday 24 February, police were called by paramedics to concerns for the welfare of a woman on Woodside, Poynton.

“Officers attended and sadly a woman in her sixties was declared dead at the scene. The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a case file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Christopher Trybus, 43, from Swindon, Wiltshire, is accused of the manslaughter of his wife Tarryn Baird, 34, who took her own life, along with other charges including rape, which he also denies

A man accused of subjecting his wife to a ‘tsunami’ of domestic abuse before she took her own life has claimed that an audio recording of alleged abuse was ‘kinky bondage type sex’.

Christopher Trybus, from Swindon, Wiltshire, is accused of the manslaughter of Tarryn Baird, who died of hanging in November 2017. The 43-year-old also faces charges at Winchester Crown Court of controlling and coercive behaviour and two charges of rape.

Trybus is accused of controlling Ms Baird by using and threatening violence towards her, sexually assaulting her, monitoring her whereabouts, limiting access to finance, threatening to reveal private information to her family and isolating her from her family. He denies the charges.

Tom Little KC, prosecuting, told the jury that Trybus carried out a “tsunami” of abuse against his wife, including “extensive and escalating controlling, coercive and manipulative behaviour including sexual violence of two rapes and other sexual assaults”. Katy Thorne KC, defending Trybus, told the jury that the defendant denies the allegations and said Ms Baird presented a “facade” to health professionals because of her own mental health issues. She said: “This without question is a tragic case, a young woman has died and she took her own life and nothing you decide in this courtroom can alter the grief and loss of those who loved her.” Ms Thorne continued: “The defence position is Christopher Trybus was never abusive to his wife, he didn’t beat her, he didn’t break her, he didn’t coerce her, control her and he didn’t cause her death. “On the contrary, he loved her and cherished her deeply and his case is that without anyone’s knowledge, Tarryn Baird was making demonstrably false allegations to health professionals. “There are injuries but the defence case is that on a number of occasions Tarryn Baird made allegations of violence which were demonstrably false, for example, by reporting injuries to health professionals when Christopher Trybus was not even in the country. “The defence case is that one obvious example of that on November 16, he says that he was out of the country, having left on 8th November and not returned until 23rd November. “And yet during that period, Tarryn Baird made more than one set of allegations of domestic violence and took photographs of injuries, each of which she said was caused by him.”

Ms Thorne told the jury they should question the “reliability” of Ms Baird’s claims and said: “You will hear that Tarryn Baird had mental health problems which were longstanding and the defence case is that she was desperately seeking help and feeling she wasn’t receiving it and she may have become addicted to the attention that her allegations brought. “The defence case is that the reason why she never made the allegations to the police or went to a refuge was because the allegations weren’t true and she didn’t want that fact to be exposed.”

Ms Thorne said Trybus denied sexual assaults against Ms Baird and added: “Theirs was a healthy, consensual marital sex life enjoyed by both of them. “It included some practices which may not be familiar or comfortable to everyone, including bondage and rough sex. “What goes on in other people’s bedrooms can be surprising, the defence case is that it was consensual.”

She added that an injury presented by Ms Baird to her neck was caused by a “collar” worn during sex and an audio recording from her phone was of a “kinky bondage type sex” that was consensual. Ms Thorne continued: “The allegations of Terryn Baird being trapped and controlled, the defence says are untrue and the defence will suggest that they will turn out to be just false. “You will need to consider her claims that she was being financially controlled or kept away from family and friends bears scrutiny, his case is the absolute opposite is true.” She added: “Health professionals were being told a false story and her boredom and troubled mind was leading her to make allegations to seek care and attention.” Ms Thorne said that the jury would need to consider if Ms Baird’s suicide was a “cry for help that went tragically wrong”. She added that Trybus’s actions were not a cause of Ms Baird’s suicide and said: “The defence case is that there are other matters such as her mental health difficulties and withdrawal of services from her which led her to take her own life.” Trybus, who is a software consultant and developer, denies the charges.

The trial continues.

*If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch.

FAI chief executive David Courell has spoken at length about the UEFA Nations League draw that paired Ireland with Israel, outlining security measures and charitable donation plans

Ireland is set to host Israel in Dublin on 4th October, with the aim of being as “sympathetic” as possible to the sentiments within Ireland regarding the conflict in Gaza. David Courell, CEO of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), confirmed that a portion of the ticket sales for the match would be donated to a charity aiding humanitarian efforts in Palestine.

Courell faced extensive questioning about the UEFA Nations League draw that put Ireland and Israel in the same group. Nearly two weeks after the draw, he made his first comments on the issues raised by the pairing of the two nations, stating that away fans are not expected to travel to Dublin for the game at Aviva Stadium.

He highlighted the crucial role of the Gardaí in ensuring security around the fixture and addressed potential protests and any concerns FAI staff might have about the matches. Despite repeated requests for his personal stance on the situation, Courell refrained from sharing his views, asserting: “I am a football administrator, I am not a politician.”

He continued, “I am here in my capacity as CEO of the federation, and it’s incumbent on me to look at everything through the lens of football and what’s right for the interest of the Irish game, and as such I don’t think my opinion counts.”

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He added, “I’m sure everybody has an opinion on this, but my personal views on this situation do not come into the decision-making process,” reports the Irish Mirror.

Security

“An Garda Síochána have been very clear that they are confident that they can deliver a safe and secure environment for this game to proceed,” Courell stated.

“And as such, we are working on the firm basis that the game will be hosted here in the Aviva Stadium.”

Protests.

Demonstrations are expected both within and around the Aviva Stadium on match day.

Courell commented: “We fully understand the depth of sentiment on this topic. We’ve made the decision to fulfil these games.

“With that said, we want to approach it in as sympathetic a manner as possible to make sure that, just like the Norwegian federation did quite well, I think it’s fair to say.

“They took what could have been a very challenging environment and created it into an opportunity for people to have their voices heard in a respectful and safe environment.

“That is absolutely our intent. How we execute that, how we manifest that, is something we’ll have to work through, not only with An Garda Síochána but also with UEFA.

“But it is our intent to try and approach this in light of the depth of sentiment in the country.

“Our desire to fulfil the games doesn’t mean that we can’t still allow our stakeholders to have their voices heard.”

Away fans

The FAI has been informed that no supporters will be travelling from Israel for the Dublin fixture, though this doesn’t rule out the presence of away supporters at the Aviva Stadium. Courell referenced the September fixture in Oslo, which went ahead despite significant calls for a boycott and demonstrations both in the city and at the venue.

“There was no travelling fans in Norway. The indication from Israel is there will be no travelling fans coming to Ireland,” said Courell.

“However, there were 600 to 1,000 Israeli supporters in the ground (in Oslo). They would have been made up of domestic supporters, be that from the different community groups locally.

“They were facilitated and were able to support their team, as they should, in a safe and secure environment.”

Charitable donation

Courell has committed to mirroring the Norwegian approach by pledging proceeds from the Israel home fixture to a Gaza-focused charity.

Norway welcomed Israel last September for a World Cup qualifying match and directed ticket revenue towards Doctors Without Borders.

Courell characterised this as being part of efforts to “approach this in as sympathetic a manner as we can.”

He continued: “That’s 100 percent within our intent. The manner and mechanism of how we do that is yet to be established. Who the recipient, charitable foundation might be, etcetera, we’ve yet to establish.

“But it is absolutely something that we are working towards.”

Renewed boycott pressure

The choice to proceed with the fixtures is likely to frustrate many in Irish football circles, especially given that 93 percent of the FAI’s General Assembly backed suspending Israel from international competition last November. Whilst Courell acknowledged that the Association’s leadership “heard our GA loud and clear,” he went on to say: “Whether or not we fulfil these fixtures is a decision for the board and the executive.”

He continued: “That is, within the constitution, our obligation, our role. And as such, that decision has been taken.”

He stated: “We are very happy to hear further from our General Assembly on their viewpoints. However, the decision has been taken.”

Staff welfare

SIPTU issued a statement soon after the draw expressing worries about the wellbeing of its members working for the FAI.

According to Courell, though, nobody within the organisation had indicated any unwillingness or hesitation to carry out their responsibilities surrounding the match.

He said: “If there are individuals that have a different viewpoint, then of course we’ll engage with them and try and understand how we can accommodate any concerns they may have.”

Potential penalties

The FAI set out in correspondence to the General Assembly, dispatched on Tuesday evening, the “tangible” penalties that UEFA might impose on the FAI.

These encompass the loss of six points, demotion to League C, and damage to Ireland’s Euro 2028 seedings and overall FIFA standings.

He warned that there was “every potential that there will be greater ramifications for Irish football – reputational, financial, operational.

“The reality is, we’re talking solely in the lane of the men’s national team here. But if we fail to qualify for Euro ’28, you know the financial benefit that can bring for the association and the benefit it will bring to the grassroots game and every aspect of what we do.

“So there is a big range of implications that extend beyond what we’ve included in that letter.

“But we don’t even need to go there. From a sporting perspective, it’s not within the interest of Irish football not to fulfil these games. We are fulfilling the games.”

The FAI are operating under the assumption that the away match will be held on neutral ground, despite the Israeli FA’s wish to reintroduce international football to Tel Aviv.

“As things stand, and UEFA reconfirmed this, the position is very clear from UEFA that there is no ability for Israel to host home games at this moment in time,” he said.

“So until that position changes, I’m not really in a position to comment on whether or not the game is in Tel Aviv. Right now we’re working on the assumption it’s not.”

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The inquest concluded today

The inquest has concluded into the death of a woman who was struck and killed by a bus on a guided busway in Cambridge. Kathleen Sharon Pitts, 52, died in October 2021.

At an inquest held in Huntingdon on Wednesday (February 25), Coroner Elizabeth Grey for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough told the court that Ms. Pitt was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that her cause of death was due to multiple traumatic injuries. Kathleen was one of three deaths between November 2015 and November 2021 that The Health and Safety Executive prosecuted Cambridgeshire County Council over.

Kathleen Pitts, Jennifer Taylor, and Steve Moir all died on the busway, while two young people suffered serious injuries between November 2015 and November 2021. The council pleaded guilty, and was fined £6 million in April 2025.

Jessie Zhu, a pedestrian who witnessed the fatal incident, presented a statement in court. Ms Zhu explained that the incident ‘happened suddenly’ and that the bus stopped immediately after the collision.

The driver of the bus gave evidence in court, stating he had around 20 passengers on board. He said that he immediately stepped on the breaks and he “could not do anything to avoid the collision”, the coroner’s court heard.

The bus was travelling within the speed limit seconds prior to the incident, the court heard. The inquest also heard that Kathleen had a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and nine psychiatric admissions. Her most recent occurred in 2013.

The inquest heard that Kathleen called a mental health services provider and was said to have been in “a mental health crisis”. She had further calls with the provider where she had reported suicidal thoughts.

Doctor Meiser-Stedman, a psychiatrist, considered it likely that Kathleen had been ‘experiencing these feelings for months’. However she was not in immediate risk following an assessment. A review found that she was provided with good care overall.

Coroner Grey concluded there was “no evidence” to support a deliberate act based on both physical and mental health – there was also “no evidence” she tripped or fell.

Beau Greaves became the first female player in PDC history to land a nine-darter on Wednesday afternoon in a stunning display at the Players Championship 6 in Leicester

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Beau Greaves rewrote the record books on Wednesday by becoming the first woman in PDC history to achieve a nine-darter. The 22 year old was in exceptional form against Mensur Suljovic at the Players Championship 6 in Leicester, producing a flawless leg in the third leg of their encounter.

Following a hard-fought 6-5 first-round victory over Chris Landman, ‘Beau n Arrow’ faced former major champion Suljovic. After consecutive 180s, Greaves sealed a 141 checkout via T20, T19 and D12 to secure her place in darting folklore.

Despite achieving something no woman had previously accomplished, Beau remained measured in her celebrations – merely offering a slight grin as she stepped back from the oche to witness Suljovic bowing towards her as a mark of admiration. The PDC commentators, by contrast, were considerably more enthusiastic.

As the D12 found its target, one could be heard exclaiming: “Beau Greaves, it’s perfection. Absolutely incredible.

“Suljovic takes a bow, but it’s Beau Greaves that’s stealing the show. With a shake of the head, she can’t believe what’s just happened,” reports the Mirror.

Leading just 2-1 at that point in a first-to-six format, Greaves eventually prevailed 6-5 in a tightly contested match to progress to the last 32 of the tournament. There, she will meet David Sharp on Wednesday afternoon.

This is not the first time Greaves has made history this year, however. The Doncaster-born talent grabbed headlines by becoming the first woman to reach the last 16 of a ProTour event at the Players Championship 1 earlier this month, alongside Lisa Ashton.

At that event, held in Hildesheim, she secured victories over Jimmy van Schie, Owen Bates and Cam Crabtree to advance to the fourth round.

Unfortunately, Greaves then suffered a 6-2 defeat to Nathan Aspinall, which ended her hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals.

A three-time WDF World Championship winner, Greaves will be hoping to secure her first major PDC title in 2026.

Her appearance at the 2023 PDC World Championship was cut short in the first round following a 3-0 defeat to William O’Connor, whilst Luke Humphries knocked her out in the fourth round of last year’s UK Open 10-7.

Greaves has also yet to advance beyond the group stage of a Grand Slam of Darts throughout her blossoming career, and will be determined to change that this year.

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“Beautiful dress purchased for my honeymoon. Feminine, flattering and floaty”

Spring is just weeks away and with it will come wedding season. As a result, prepared fashion shoppers will be on the hunt for a dress that not only looks stylish but is comfortable and flattering to wear, even on the wobbly bits you’d prefer to cover.

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Roman’s Blue Ruffle Midi Wrap Dress comes in sizes ten to 20 and costs £35. Those who apply the discount code FEB10 can score 10% off the retail price, bringing the total down to £31.50 with free express delivery to boot.

READ MORE: Roman’s £34 dress in 13 beautiful spring prints makes wearers feel ‘very special’

READ MORE: I found the ‘perfect’ £31 smart-casual top to throw on with jeans all spring

The elegant dress combines a delicate and feminine floral print combined with a luxurious satin material to create a sophisticated number that’s perfect for spring and summer wedding ceremonies. It features a wrap with a flattering V-neckline that’s not too low.

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The dress can can be paired with strappy heels or wedges for a polished look. Equally, it’s suitable for wearing with flats and sandals thanks to its cascading midi skirt.

If there’s more room in your budget, Boden’s Alexa Long Sleeve Midi Dress is available for £118.15 instead of £139 with the discount code XCRM applied at checkout. It’s crafted from 100% cotton and features long sleeves and a pleated skirt for extra fullness.

Alternatively, New Look’s Blue Floral Flutter Sleeve Midi Dress is available for £25.99. The breezy midi dress in a vibrant blue is covered by ditsy florals and has a flattering slim shape that makes its perfect for wearing to garden parties.

The Blue Ruffle Midi Wrap Dress has racked up four glowing reviews so far. The first reads: “Beautiful dress purchased for my honeymoon. Feminine, flattering and floaty.”

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The Blue Ruffle Midi Wrap Dress is available for £31.50 instead of £35 here. Just remember to use the discount code FEB10 to unlock the reduced price.

Paula Heister taught medicine at Downing College, University of Cambridge

A Cambridge man whose wife died of a brain tumour has described her as “a force of nature”. Chris Jones, 39, lost his wife Paula Heister to glioblastoma on April 26, 2025, when she was 40 – just eight weeks after going to hospital with headaches and numbness on her left side.

A year on from his wife’s death, Chris is taking on the London Marathon to raise money for Brain Tumour Research in her honour. Chris, an academic, said: “Last July, we emigrated from Cambridge to Vienna. We had six months in which we were making our home there, but about two weeks after the final touches to our new flat, Paula’s first physical symptoms presented.

“I watched Paula become weaker and less mobile every day. After her diagnosis, she went from being able to walk outside to the patients’ garden at the hospital to being virtually paralysed, all within the space of a few weeks. Despite Paula’s incredible bravery, the speed of it all was profoundly difficult. A year later, running the London Marathon gives me a positive focus on the anniversary of her death.”

In February 2025, Paula was suffering with strong headaches and experienced numbness in her left hand and through her arm. Blood tests didn’t detect anything, but the numbness began spreading.

Chris said: “When the numb sensation spread to her leg, we rushed back to the hospital. An MRI scan revealed four tumours in the right hemisphere of Paula’s brain. The largest was nearly three centimetres in diameter and was pressing against a region of the brain responsible for motor function.

“The tumours were growing at an alarming rate, and there was no option of either surgery or radiotherapy. Paula spent the next five weeks in hospital, and the final three weeks of her life back at home, cared for by friends and family.

He continued: “Paula was a force of nature. She was incredibly vibrant, analytic, creative, phenomenally generous, and passionate about all that she did. She was teaching at Cambridge, but waiting to resume work as a clinician, in Austria.

“Paula was also a professional illustrator, and was producing her first works for young readers. Just a few weeks before her diagnosis, she had been awarded a visiting fellowship at Harvard University.

“Being told that neither surgery nor radiotherapy were possible was hard to take. Paula was given the chance to have a type of chemotherapy, known as Temozolomide (TMZ), but in many cases this is not effective. Paula celebrated her first chemotherapy pill with a big smile and a sense of triumph, even though she knew this drug was unlikely to make a difference.“

Paula died at home in Vienna on April 26, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Brain tumours kill more women under 35 than breast cancer, yet just one percent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since 2002.

Paula had a glioblastoma, an aggressive and fast-growing tumour that is challenging to treat. It’s the most common type of primary high-grade brain tumour in adults, with around 3,200 people diagnosed with it each year in the UK. Glioblastoma patients will almost always see their tumour recur, and when it does, treatment options are limited.

Chris is now in training for the London Marathon. He said: “When I saw the marathon was taking place on the one-year anniversary of Paula’s death and learnt that Brain Tumour Research offered the opportunity to run, I knew I had to go for it. Running suspends my mind from wandering, and it’s helping me deal with the physical effects of grief.

“Running has helped me to keep going, and raising money through the marathon gives me a positive target for that day. Brain Tumour Research supports vital research into brain cancer, and the work of young researchers who dedicate themselves to finding new treatments – Paula would approve.”

The Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London, a university where Paula was once a researcher, is working on developing personalised treatments for glioblastomas in adults. The are discovering gentler, more specific, and effective therapies for childhood brain tumours too including medulloblastoma, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), and ependymoma.

Carol Robertson, national events manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Chris’s determination to take on the London Marathon after everything he has been through is truly inspiring. Brain tumours are indiscriminate and devastating, and stories like Paula’s highlight why greater investment in research is so urgently needed.

“We are incredibly grateful to Chris for turning his experience into action and helping us raise vital funds and awareness as we work towards finding a cure.”

You can support Chris’ fundraising campaign here.