Louise Cameron, a mum from Billingham, has been convicted of murdering her eight-year-old autistic son Rhys after spiking his blackcurrant juice with methadone and giving him morphine. She left a chilling note saying she was “not dying without him”.

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A mother from Billingham has been found guilty of murdering her young son. Louise Cameron administered morphine to eight-year-old Rhys and laced his blackcurrant juice with methadone.

Cameron left a note for her family, over the weekend of September 13 and 14 , stating she was “not dying without him”. Teesside Crown Court was told that Cameron’s sister grew worried after failing to reach her that weekend, prompting her to visit the house on Monday, September 15, ahead of a planned call from Cameron’s social worker.

Upon arrival, she discovered her sister lying in bed alongside Rhys, who was already dead. The jury heard that Cameron appeared “out of it” and may have attempted to take a fatal overdose herself.

A family member told police that Cameron had been under considerable strain during a pub meal the previous Friday, when Rhys, who was autistic, “had a meltdown”. The relative revealed that Cameron had hoped to speak with her social worker during a visit that week, but claimed the professional had “left early” when Rhys was crying “because the television wasn’t working”.

At the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, Cameron reportedly told staff: “I’ve just murdered Rhys. I didn’t want to have to stab him or drown him or hurt him.”, reports Teesside Live.

The jury took less than an hour on Thursday morning to reach their verdict. Judge Heather Williams confirmed that Cameron will be sentenced on Thursday, September 18.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s last Trooping the Colour in 2019 saw the couple share what appeared to be an awkward exchange on the Buckingham Palace balcony

The annual Trooping the Colour is due to get underway on Saturday, with members of the Royal Family and royal enthusiasts descending on the Mall to mark King Charles‘ birthday. Following the Horse Guards Parade and during the RAF flypast, the senior members of the Firm will gather on the Buckingham Palace balcony, which has famously served as the backdrop for numerous iconic moments.

From Prince William being reprimanded by the late Queen, to Prince Louis upstaging everyone with his mischievous behaviour, the balcony appearance is frequently the most eagerly awaited part of the day for fans to catch a glimpse of their favourite royals.

One particular instance dates back to the 2019 Trooping the Colour, which marked the last occasion Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended the annual ceremony.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were accompanied on the balcony by numerous royals, including the late Queen Elizabeth, the then Prince Charles and Camilla, along with William, Kate and their three children amongst others.

As all the royals waved at devoted supporters lining the Mall and took in the RAF flypast, sharp-eyed observers believed they caught an uncomfortable moment between Harry and Meghan, creating a somewhat strained atmosphere on the balcony.

Footage circulated of the incident on X showed Harry glancing inside the room adjacent to the balcony before uttering a few words to someone beyond the camera’s view. Meghan turns her head slightly and mouths something, then faces her husband.

The couple exchange a few words and Meghan faces forward. She then turns back once more towards Harry – and it’s at this moment it appears he tells her to “turn around” – which she promptly does. Harry maintains his serious expression while Meghan awkwardly attempts to compose herself before the camera, which prompted fans to wonder if they may have exchanged heated words.

Yet when the video is played with full audio, the context becomes apparent and reveals there was more happening during the uncomfortable moment than initially thought.

With the sound enabled, the footage demonstrates the moment took place just a second or so before the National Anthem begins playing, suggesting there’s a strong possibility that Harry was simply alerting Meghan that the music was about to commence so she wouldn’t be caught facing the wrong direction.

Rather than standing uncomfortably after a presumed tense conversation, they are in fact simply listening to the opening part of God Save the Queen.

While the majority of senior working royals are anticipated to feature on the Palace balcony on Saturday for King Charles’ birthday celebrations, it’s hardly surprising that Harry and Meghan will not be in attendance. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended just two Trooping the Colour ceremonies before stepping back from royal duties in 2020, appearing in 2018 and 2019.

At the time of the 2018 procession, Meghan and Harry had recently married at their stunning Windsor Castle wedding ceremony. When they emerged for the Trooping in 2019, their firstborn Archie had arrived only the month prior.

The yearly tradition of Trooping the Colour has served as the official birthday celebration of the reigning monarch for over 260 years. The ceremony features hundreds of horses and servicemen executing intricate battlefield drill movements to military music. More than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians unite for the spectacular showcase.

Throughout the parade, members of the Royal Family travel from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade in a grand procession – either mounted on horseback or riding in carriages. At Horse Guards, they observe the military spectacle before rejoining the procession returning to Buckingham Palace when it concludes.

Following the parade, the royals assemble on the Palace balcony for a march-past and the RAF fly-past, featuring the Red Arrows, which brings the day’s festivities to a close.

There are “severe delays” on the M11 following two crashes on Friday. The M11 is being held in both directions between Junction 10 at Royston and Junction nine at Newmarket due to a serious crash involving three vehicles.

Cambridgeshire Police are at the scene of a crash near to the A505 at Duxford. The force has warned that the southbound carriageway will be closed for some time and for motorists to “avoid the area”.

Traffic was also stopped on the M11 south between Junction nine at Newmarket and Junction eight at Stansted Airport following a multi-vehicle crash. National Highways confirmed Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene.

Also joining were Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, who has written for Beyoncé, Rihanna and Katy Perry; Walter Afanasieff, known for his work with Mariah Carey; Terry Britten, whose songs include Tina Turner’s We Don’t Need Another Hero; and Graham Lyle, who was behind Turner’s What’s Love Got to Do with It?

How can you do that for your child?

And so another one of the Fab Four exits the Test arena. Kane Williamson follows Virat Kohli in hanging up his whites, leaving only Joe Root and Steve Smith remaining.

With the landscape of the sport changing so quickly, it is not a stretch to wonder if such an era of Test batting will be replicated again.

Compared to the rest of the illustrious quartet, Williamson was an outlier. New Zealand do not play as many Tests as England, India or Australia. His career haul would have been much greater if he had the opportunities of the other three.

Only last week, in the days leading up to the first Test against England, Williamson said he was “towards the back end” of his career, giving no indication that this decision was close.

When asked about the prospect of reaching 10,000 Test runs, he said he was “not in the game” for personal milestones. “When the day comes, it comes,” were his words. Instead, Williamson ends an agonising 485 runs short.

If Martin Crowe is the godfather of New Zealand batting, then Williamson picked up the mantle and became the most prolific of all the Black Caps. Playing late with soft hands, Williamson’s ability to somehow guide any delivery to the third-man boundary appeared to defy geometry.

Incredibly modest, there was a famous moment at the end of the 2019 World Cup final, when Williamson endured the heartbreak of being the losing captain in perhaps the greatest game of cricket ever played. He was told he had been named player of the tournament and could not hide his disbelief.

Two years later, it was Williamson who led New Zealand to their redemption, when the Kiwis were crowned the inaugural world Test champions, with victory over India in Southampton.

Back to Lord’s, and the build-up to the first Test, ultimately Williamson’s last. In doing a round of media interviews, he said he was being held up from getting his hands on a famous Lord’s lunch. When he finally was done with the press, Williamson was delayed further by a routine drugs test.

He never did get to sit down to that lunch and now there will be no more international runs, either.

The 22-acre site would deliver homes with up to five bedrooms, including bungalows

A developer is hoping to build up to 180 new homes in a town near Cambridgeshire. Bellway Strategic Land is seeking outline planning permission to Central Bedfordshire Council for the development of land north of Myers Road on the edge of Potton.

The proposals for the 22-acre site would deliver a range of homes with up to five bedrooms, including bungalows. Of the 180 homes, 30 per cent of the properties would be offered as affordable housing for low-cost rent or shared ownership.

The site would provide public open space, children’s play areas, and new walking and cycling routes. According to Bellway Strategic Land, the development could also support expanding the Potton Green Wheel, which aims to connect publicly accessible routes and green spaces around the town.

Matthew Gransbury, strategic land and planning associate for Bellway, said: “There is a significant and growing need for new housing in Central Bedfordshire. Our proposals for the site at Myers Road would help to address this identified shortfall across the district whilst also meeting the recognised demand for smaller-sized properties for first-time buyers and downsizers within Potton itself.

“With almost 3,000 households on the district’s housing waiting list, the need for affordable homes is particularly acute. This development would provide 30 per cent affordable housing in line with the council’s policy requirements.”

Before submitting a planning application, Bellway Strategic Land, part of Bellway, conducted an extensive consultation process which involved engagement with the local planning authority, ward councillors, Potton Town Council, and residents.

Mr Gransbury said feedback received during this process was “integral in shaping the proposals to balance the requirement for new housing with the need to respect the countryside setting”.

As a result, the maximum number of homes proposed has reduced from 200 to 180, allowing for more green space between the development and existing properties on Myers Road. Proposed allotments have been changed in favour of more tree planting and community orchards.

The development would provide 10.5 acres of green space, including children’s play areas. A new priority junction would be created to allow vehicles to access the development from Everton Road, while a second emergency access would be provided from Myers Road.

The proposals would also see highway improvements at the Myers Road and Everton Road junction, alongside enhanced pedestrian and cycle connectivity through to Potton Primary School.

If outline planning permission is granted, a reserved matters application will then be submitted to determine the exact number and mix of homes to be built.

So far 10 people have been jailed following the demonstration involving 1,000 people

A man who hurled a frying pan at police during violent clashes in Southampton has admitted taking part in the disorder that erupted after the murder of student Henry Nowak.

Ryan Atkinson, 36, from Highcliff Avenue, became the 22nd person charged over the chaos as he pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.

District Judge Henry Gordon said Atkinson had “picked up a large frying pan and launched it at police” as tempers flared. He remanded the defendant in custody to be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on June 29 and told him: “I find there are substantial grounds that if I granted you bail you would commit further offences.”

So far 10 people have been jailed following the demonstration involving 1,000 people which started outside Southampton Central Police Station on June 2 before hundreds moved on to the Portswood area where Mr Nowak was killed and where the violence started.

Anger had erupted after police body-worn video was released showing Mr Nowak being placed in handcuffs moments before he became unconscious and subsequently died. Vickrum Digwa, 23, who lived in a nearby road with his family, was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 21 years for his murder.

The court hearings have been told that 13 police officers and a police dog were injured in the protest and a member of the public suffered a broken jaw.

The police operation involved 100 officers from nine different areas with a cost of £443,000 and a clean-up cost to the local council of £7,000, the court heard.

Four more men are set to be sentenced at Southampton Crown on Friday for their parts in the disorder.

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