The farmer, television personality and bestselling author will release Cosy Bedtime Stories from the Farm on September 3, shortly before she returns to screens in a new series of Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids.

The book features ten short stories inspired by Amanda’s life with her nine children on their remote 2,000-acre hill farm in Swaledale, North Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Shepherdess, Amanda Owen (Image: SUBMIT)

Readers will follow the family as they walk beside a winding river, watch wildlife, camp beneath the stars and spend time with a sheepdog puppy beside the fire.

The stories are intended to show both the demanding and quieter sides of life on a working farm, with the Owen children and Ravenseat’s animals providing much of the inspiration.

Published by Puffin and illustrated by Becca Hall, the collection is aimed at children aged six and above and has been designed for parents and youngsters to read together at bedtime.

The front of Amanda’s new book (Image: SUBMIT)

It will also contain quizzes and a glossary explaining farming words and phrases encountered throughout the stories.

An audiobook version, narrated by Amanda herself, will be released alongside the hardback and ebook editions.

Amanda, who was born in Huddersfield before moving into farming, has previously spoken about how reading James Herriot’s books helped inspire her to pursue a life in the countryside.

She has since written five Sunday Times bestselling books and published her first children’s collection, Christmas Tales from the Farm, in 2025.

Amanda with some of her children (Image: SUBMIT)

That book introduced younger readers to festive stories based on the people and animals living around Ravenseat, including runaway reindeer, mischievous goats and a clever sheepdog.

Its paperback edition is due to be published on October 1, adding to Amanda’s growing collection of books for children.

The new release comes as Amanda, her former husband Clive and their children prepare to return to television later this year.

Channel 4 previously commissioned two further series of Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids, which follows the family’s efforts to restore a derelict farmhouse close to Ravenseat.

Some of Amanda’s children (Image: SUBMIT)

The property, known locally as Anty John’s, is being transformed into a new family home after years of neglect.

The forthcoming episodes will see work move inside the building, with the family planning its rooms and tackling major jobs including plumbing and the installation of running water.

Cameras will also continue to document everyday farming life at Ravenseat and Amanda’s efforts to uncover the history of the old property.

The programme marked Amanda and Clive’s return to television together following the end of their hugely successful Channel 5 series Our Yorkshire Farm.

That show attracted audiences of more than three million viewers and followed the challenges of raising nine children while running one of Britain’s most isolated hill farms.

At an event held this morning (August 1) at York Mosque, people gathered to share tea and biscuits with its community and show their solidarity after the events of the last few days with attendees including emergency services, politicians, and nearby residents.

It follows North Yorkshire Police saying a man was arrested after a shot was reportedly fired using an air rifle outside the mosque in Bull Lane at about 2.20am on Thursday (July 30).

Superintendent Ed Haywood-Noble, senior operational commander for York and Selby, said it had been a “worrying time for everyone connected to York Mosque”, but the police investigation “has not identified an intention to cause injuries or distress to people”.

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The force said there was also no evidence to suggest the alleged incident was “specifically targeted against the Muslim community in York”.

Police confirmed yesterday that a 44-year-old York man arrested in connection with the investigation has been charged with possessing a loaded air weapon, a .22 air rifle, in a public place.

He has been bailed with conditions, including to keep away from York Mosque, and is due to appear at York Magistrates’ Court on September 21, police said.

No one was injured during the alleged incident and the mosque has since resumed its daily prayers.

At the mosque, Professor Mohammed El-Gomati, one of the founders of York Mosque and its spokesperson, said that they were humbled by the support that they’d received from the public and the appreciative of the police’s support.

Professor Mohamed El-Gomati, one of the founders of York Mosque (Image: Dylan Connell)

He said: “The police were very quick; they managed to identify the culprit very quickly and arrested the person. They cordoned the mosque, got their evidence, and thankfully we were able to reopen for our community kitchen.

“Two, if not three, times the amount of people who normally would come to our events came along, so we had easily over one hundred people attend. It’s nice to see and hear that type of engagement. We’ve had a lot of well wishers who wrote cards for us and phoned in, so we’re really humbled.

“I’m proud of this and really humbled by the reaction – it makes me so proud that this is the city that I’m a citizen of. That person does not represent the community in York.”

He was joined by fellow event organiser and the mosque’s president, Mohamad Douba, who said the air rifle being reportedly discharged was “disturbing for many members of our community” but he was delighted to see people in the city rally around them.

York Mosque Community Kitchen on Thursday (July 30) with Faizal Mohamudbuccus, centre (Image: Faizal Mohamudbuccus)

Mohamad said: “Obviously, it’s great to know that if anything happened here in the future, we would be safe. The number of messages showing their support we’ve had is overwhelming and it makes us feel proud to be part of the community in York.

“We’ve had messages from all different faith groups and non-religious people have been sending their messages, plus the neighbours have dropped cards in to stay they stand with us.

“We feel like we have a duty for the wider community too with the kitchen, our open days, and we love to invite the community to chat with us just like today.

“Some people haven’t interacted with Muslims before and they have misconceptions from what they hear in the media, so when they do, they realise they’re people just like us.”

Also at the event were a number of York’s politicians, including the Liberal Democrat Cllr Tony Fisher and York Central MP Rachael Maskell.

Squash, crisps, and biscuits (Image: Alice Kavanagh)

Rachael said: “It’s really important what the Muslim community in York have done today in opening their doors to the wider community as a means of saying thanks for all the support they’ve had.

“I know people across the city have been really shocked in hearing about the incident. I’m grateful for the police for the swift action, but also in giving that assurance to the community to that, they are there for everybody across York.

“I think York just works as a community, and I think the people here are a testament to this community – even this week, supporting people experiencing deprivation and just bringing people together and talking, that’s what we want is to feel that sense of solidarity.”

Rachael Maskell and Tony Fisher (Image: Alice Kavanagh)

Tony added: “I sent an email to the Mosque showing my support after Thursday and they sent me a nice response inviting me down. I’ve been here three or four times before and I’ve been treated like an honoured guest and I know quite a few of the people here.

“They’re just such a nice people and the relationship between the Muslim community and the rest of the city is just exemplary.”

The senior Reform member wasn’t pulling any punches. ‘There’s no way Nigel puts this behind him now,’ he told me. 

‘The five million quid isn’t going to go away. George Cottrell isn’t going away. I don’t understand what he was thinking. But it doesn’t matter. I don’t see how we move on from it.’

Another Reform insider was equally scathing of their leader. ‘The Clacton stunt was madness. He’s totally marginalised himself and the party. Recess is the moment we traditionally capitalise. But we’re nowhere. We’re just talking to ourselves.’

Even three months ago, such seditious talk would have been unthinkable. There were tensions and factions inside Reform, as there are inside all parties. 

But they were confined to backbiting among Nigel Farage’s lieutenants, MPs and activists. Criticism of Farage himself was essentially confined to eye-rolling over his time-keeping.

But now senior members of the party are starting to think the unthinkable. ‘Nigel isn’t immortal,’ one said. ‘What he’s done is incredible. But there’s a limit to what one man can achieve.’

Farage had hoped the summer recess, and his bold gamble of attempting to turn the table on his political pursuers by provoking a by-election in his staunchly supportive Essex constituency, would result in a transformation of his political fortunes. Instead he has placed himself at the centre of a perfect storm.

His failure to adequately address questions over his £5 million gift from Thai crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne started to raise concerns internally.

The dramatic decision – taken with a small clique of senior advisers but without any wider consultation – to resign and promote his Clacton showdown poured petrol on these smouldering embers of discontent. Discontent that rapidly heightened when it emerged his sole serious challenger in the contest would be Count Binface.

But what has finally tipped people over the edge is the collapse of both Reform’s national polling numbers and Farage’s own ratings.  

Reform have basically been in decline since last October. But the brutal defenestration of Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham’s bounce and Kemi Badenoch’s remarkable resurrection have sent their numbers into freefall.

At the peak of their support nine months ago, Reform were on 31 per cent, 11 points ahead of Labour and a full 14 points ahead of the Conservatives. Today they are languishing on 24 per cent, just one point ahead of Burnham’s party, and only five points ahead of Badenoch’s Tories.

The collapse in Farage’s personal ratings has been even more precipitous. At the start of last October, he had an approval rating of minus 10 – of itself not the most ringing endorsement but still 11 points better than Badenoch and a staggering 30 points above the benighted Starmer. 

Today he sits on minus 22, 31 points below Andy Burnham and 24 points below the Tory’s Lady Lazarus.

This breakdown in Farage’s personal standing has resulted in an implosion of Reform’s discipline.

Even when Farage wins his by-election, it will be an empty victory. Election night will be a circus, as he attempts to bask in his triumph over Count Binface, Baron Von Thunderclap and Nick The Incredible Flying Brick, writes Dan Hodges

As for Farage’s inner circle, long-standing suspicion has turned into a concrete belief there is a traitor in their midst

Zia Yusuf, the party’s home affairs spokesman, was described to me by one insider as ‘completely out of control. The press office have no idea what he’s going to do or say’.

As for Farage’s inner circle, long-standing suspicion has turned into a concrete belief there is a traitor in their midst. According to one source: ‘Someone is out to get Nigel. The stuff people are getting on the finances is too detailed. We’ve got a rat on the inside.’

The result is the number of people trusted to make decisions has shrunk to a tiny core of acolytes. Which in turn has added to the party’s dysfunctionality.

‘Nigel should be devolving decision-making,’ one former ally told me, ‘but instead everything’s becoming more centralised and secretive. It’s unsustainable.’ 

It is. Within Westminster there is a settled narrative that says if Farage is forced to walk away from politics, Reform are effectively finished.

But in reality the opposite is true. Unless Reform find a way to move on from Farage, they are doomed.

The polls are unequivocal. Reform’s leader has always been a divisive figure. But that divisiveness has morphed into a politically terminal toxicity.

The number of people who passionately dislike Reform’s leader now outweighs those who idolise him by a margin of almost two to one. And crucially, the former group are prepared to lend their votes to just about anyone if it means keeping him out.

‘Look at the coverage Chris [Philp, the Tory home affairs spokesman] has been getting on small boats. That’s Farage’s issue. And we’ve been running rings round him,’ says a Tory strategist

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Caerphilly. Gorton. Makerfield. The Manchester mayoralty. The pattern is now established. Reform begins the campaign seemingly as favourites. And ends it comfortably defeated after an unofficial anti-Farage – he would say ‘uniparty’ – coalition unites to stand in his way.

Then there is Farage himself. The political antenna that once enabled him to judge the mood of the British people in a way that appeared psychic has been snapped off. As exemplified by his Clacton gamble, which has turned into an unmitigated disaster even before a single ballot has been cast. 

Earlier in the week I had a drink with a couple of senior Tory strategists, who were literally raising their glasses to their old nemesis.

‘Because of the broadcasting rules on by-elections, there are now limits on how much coverage he’s allowed,’ one explained delightedly. ‘That’s given us the space to control the agenda. Look at the coverage Chris [Philp, the Tory home affairs spokesman] has been getting on small boats. That’s Farage’s issue. And we’ve been running rings round him.’

Even when Farage wins his by-election, it will be an empty victory. Election night will be a circus, as he attempts to bask in his triumph over Count Binface, Baron Von Thunderclap and Nick The Incredible Flying Brick.

The fact that he has held Reform’s safest seat in the country will – literally – Count for nothing. The man who a year ago was being touted as a future Prime Minister will have gambled everything to effectively become the mayor of Clacton.

Farage’s internal critics are right. There is no escape for him now. The leaks will continue. The questions will mount. The police are starting to take a growing interest in Reform’s affairs. And the attempts to deflect with increasingly hysterical claims of an ‘establishment stitch-up’ are not having the desired effect. So his party is about to face a reckoning.

In my view, it’s not actually a one-man-band. Lee Anderson is an authentic and robust tribune for working people. Richard Tice brought a discipline and professionalism to his time as leader. Rob Jenrick is a polished and persuasive media performer.

And in the weeks and months ahead they will have a decision to make. Is it really the case Reform are nothing without Farage?

Or are they a serious political party, rather than a monument to one man’s folly?

Tim Booth of James has revealed the band have had to pull out of their Belladrum set hours before they were due on stage

Lead singer of indie rock band James has apologised to fans after the group were forced to pull out of a show at the last minute. The Manchester band were expected to perform at the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival in Scotland today (August 1).

However, hours before their showing, singer Tim Booth took to Instagram announce the sad news. In a video on the social media platform, Booth shared his ‘deep regret’ and apologised to those making their way to the festival.

Tim said: “It’s with deep regret that I have to tell you that we have to cancel this gig tonight at Belladrum.

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“I’ve been fighting off a viral infection for a few days and I’ve finally lost my voice. This deep sexy rasp is not my usual voice, so we hardly ever cancel but we have no choice this time.

“We’re here, the band’s here, the crew’s here and I know many of you have come in from miles around to see this concert and it’s awful and I hate letting you down… I’m so sorry and I hope we’ll be back…”

Thankfully the show will go on, with the band revealing Razorlight have stepped in to close the festival, the Mirror reports. The post was captioned: “Truly sorry to inform you that James won’t be playing tonight at Belladrum, on medical advice.

“Sorry to those of you who were really looking forward to seeing us, especially those who have travelled far and wide to come to this great event. We hate to let you down. Hopefully We can arrange to come back within the next year or so to make it up to you.”

The announcement was met with concern in the comments section, but many offered well wishes. One user wrote: “We wish you a speedy recovery,” while another added: “Your health has to come first. The fans will wait get well soon Tim xx”

Tim recently opened up to the Mirror about his love of touring and performing. He said: “Our live reputation is snowballing.

“Yeah, and you know we’re a nine-piece band, and that’s a live event rather than when you see these rappers where they’re just playing to backing tracks or musicians playing to backing tracks.

“We believe that watching a really well constructed song with cello, violin, guitar, trumpets, two drummers, keyboards is is entertainment in itself, and our connection to an audience is is in the moment, is in the live moment. It’s always been our strongest suit, and always for us, the mark of authenticity.”

Speaking of his connection to his audience, he added: “I love contact. I love eye contact. It’s something that really feeds me, and feeds us as a band.

“The whole point of a live gig is you get this feedback loop going. That we put out this song, they give us back this response.

“We therefore have that energy, and then we put that back out, and then it keeps on building like some kind of battery of optimism, of positivism, of ecstasy, and that’s what we’re looking for. “

Former Premier League footballer John Terry was seen joining country music star Luke Combs on stage at his Wembley Stadium gig as they chugged beers together

Ex-footballer John Terry was met with a chorus of boos as he made a surprise appearance on stage with country music star Luke Combs during his Wembley Stadium concert. The former Chelsea and England captain, 45, joined the American singer, 36, on stage during the opening night of his three-night Wembley residency on Friday.

Taking part in Luke’s now-famous beer shotgun tradition in front of a packed crowd of around 90,000 fans, John appeared delighted to join in the show. But as he walked out on stage to greet the singer, many in the audience could be heard booing the footballer as he embraced Luke before downing a pint of beer, to a mixture of boos and cheers.

Despite the frosty reception, the pair carried on with the ritual, with the boos continuing to ring around the stadium as Luke cracked open his drink alongside the former defender. After finishing their beers, Luke launched his empty can into the side of the stage while John opted to kick his into the crowd before the pair shared a quick hug.

Luke then returned to performing his hit song 1, 2 Many, while John quietly left the stage to watch the rest of the concert. For the surprise cameo, John kept things casual in a white T-shirt, navy trousers and a flat cap.

The unexpected appearance quickly became a talking point on social media, with many fans admitting the moment felt uncomfortable, while others suggested Luke may not have realised how divisive the former footballer remains among sports fans.

One fan wrote: “Got booed by the whole of the stadium, quite awkward tbh, both for him and Luke.” Another commented: “I didn’t know who he was, but he’s got booed where I was stood.”

A third added: “Oh no Luke. This ain’t the one.” Others echoed the reaction, writing: “It didn’t go down very well,” while another joked: “I guess Luke didn’t realise JT’s popularity in the UK.” One more fan simply quipped: “Someone sounds popular…”

John has long divided opinion throughout his football career and beyond.

The former defender was at the centre of several high-profile controversies during his playing days, including rumours of an affair with the former partner of ex-England teammate Wayne Bridge. More recently, he also attracted criticism from some England supporters after appearing alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the World Cup.

Away from football, John has been enjoying family life with wife Toni Terry. The couple recently shared highlights from their trip to the United States with their 20-year-old twins, Summer and Georgie, as England competed at the World Cup.

The family visited New York, Boston and Miami, documenting sightseeing trips, fishing excursions, baseball games and time spent relaxing on the water. The holiday came just weeks after John and Toni celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary with heartfelt tributes on social media.

John wrote: “Happy Anniversary Mrs T. 19 Years Married to this amazing woman, we enjoy so many good times together and never give up in the bad times, we only get closer. You are my rock, my best friend, my greatest supporter, and the love of my life. Happy Anniversary Baby.”

Toni also marked the occasion with her own post, writing: “Happy Anniversary Mr T. 19 years married. I love all the amazing memories we have made over the years together and with our beautiful family. You’re my world and I love you.”

The couple married at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire in June 2007 in a lavish ceremony reportedly costing close to £1 million.

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“The walls are all cracked, the stairs are cracked, we cleaned up the debris but our clothes are destroyed with dust, We are afraid the whole building is going to fall down.”

An Irish family holidaying in southern Italy have described the terrifying moments they believed they were going to die after a powerful earthquake ripped through the town of Pozzuoli, sending them fleeing from their holiday villa as walls cracked and debris fell around them.

Dubliner Eimear Murphy (46), who now lives in Dunboyne, Co Meath, her husband David, their three children Jack (13) and 10-year-old twins Kate and Conor, had travelled to the Italian town near Naples for a week-long family break with Eimear’s sister Roisin Purcell, her partner Shane Kendrick, their children Molly, Paddy, Hannah and Darragh, and Eimear’s parents Marian and Tom O’Farrell.

The group of 15 arrived on Tuesday, July 28, and had been enjoying a stay in an Airbnb villa with a swimming pool in Pozzuoli, a quiet coastal town around 20 minutes from Naples.

But just days into their trip, the family were caught up in the fear and chaos of an earthquake that struck at around 7.45pm on Friday evening.

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The powerful earthquake struck the Naples region, sending residents fleeing into the streets as buildings shook across the Campi Flegrei volcanic zone.

The 4.7‐magnitude tremor, one of the most powerful in the region for four decades, was centred on Pozzuoli.

The moment the earthquake hit was terrifying, with the ground violently shaking and a sense of panic spreading through the community.

On Saturday, the streets were littered with debris and masonry torn from building facades while widespread power cuts plunged several neighbourhoods into darkness.

Emergency services there say at least four people have been injured, with tremors felt across Naples, Pozzuoli and surrounding towns.

Eimear said she was in the shower on Friday evening when at around 7.45pm she suddenly felt the ground begin to move, while two of the children were inside the villa watching their iPads and the rest of the family were outside on the veranda.

“I felt the ground moving and although the earthquake was only six seconds, it felt much longer,” she told the Irish Mirror.

“I really thought the house was collapsing and I shouted to the boys to get out. My husband was outside shouting at us to get out too. We all ran out of the villa and stood around in shock in the garden until around 2am.”

She said panic immediately took over as they all feared the building would not withstand the shaking.

“There was pure panic and I really thought the villa was going to collapse on us and I thought we were going to die. It’s the first time any of us experienced an earthquake and it’s traumatising,” she said.

The earthquake also left Eimear with cuts and gashes on her arms, while her daughter was struck on the knee by a falling brick.

Although the family escaped serious injury, the earthquake left damage inside the villa, with cracks appearing in walls and stairs.

Eimear said debris had to be cleared away and their clothes were covered in dust.

“The walls are all cracked, the stairs are cracked, we cleaned up the debris but our clothes are destroyed with dust,” she said. “We are afraid the whole building is going to fall down.”

The family were forced to spend the night back in the villa as aftershocks continued, but sleep was difficult.

“We had to sleep in the villa last night but none of us really slept. The kids are upset and didn’t sleep a wink and we are all traumatised by it.”

Eimear said the family are grateful everyone is safe, but the continued tremors and uncertainty have left them desperate to return home.

“Today there are aftershocks and the ground is still shaking but we are all safe and that’s the main thing.”

The family are now waiting to find out if they can remain in the villa after the owner arranged for a structural engineer to inspect the property.

They are also trying to find earlier flights home, but said they have been left in limbo as local services remain disrupted.

“We can’t get flights out of here and all the shops and supermarkets are closed and the ports are closed too. We are living off Tayto crisps which we brought with us from home and bread rolls and water for now,” Eimear said.

She described the atmosphere in Pozzuoli as tense, with residents fearful about what could happen next.

“The town is very eerie today, everyone is freaked out and we are all apprehensive and just want to be home. There’s a lot of panic around the town today, police cars are flying around the place with sirens on.”

Eimear said the family are trying to stay calm for the children while they wait for further instructions.

“We are all trying to stay calm for the sake of the kids but we just want to get out as we are nervous.”

She described the experience as a holiday that quickly became a frightening ordeal. It’s a holiday that turned to hell and we just wish we were home now.”

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Lisa Connor-Swain (Vicky Myers) has made her feelings towards Dylan Wilson (Liam McCheyne) clear in recent Coronation Street scenes, so it is no surprise that Betsy Swain (Sydney Martin) has concerns about how her mother will react to her latest request.

Betsy has been trying to come to terms with her new way of life after suffering a stroke, which has had a major impact on her ability to move and talk.

The stroke was found to have been triggered by Dylan strangling Betsy during sex, which has obviously brought up a lot of confusion for the young couple.

Betsy doesn’t want to get Dylan in trouble, but Lisa has already explained that whether she consented to the strangulation or not, Dylan broke the law when he caused physical harm.

‘It’s such a tricky situation. She’s got a detective as a mum who’s going to know the ins and outs of the law, which the average person wouldn’t,’ actress Sydney Martin previously told Metro.

‘It’s only a recent law that’s been brought in… Even with consent, if someone has been physically injured from it, he is still liable by law and could be charged. That’s such a tricky situation, because you’ve got a mum, rightfully so, absolutely livid. As you would be; that’s her baby.’

In upcoming scenes, Betsy confides in Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) that she wants to talk to Dylan, but she knows that Lisa won’t be very happy.

Even so, Ryan summons Dylan to No.6, and Betsy tries to reassure him that she doesn’t blame him for her condition.

However, they are interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Lisa – but how will she react?

Lisa isn’t the only one who wants to see Dylan face the consequences of his actions, as he is also set to face an attack from Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) next week when she finds out about his visit with Betsy.

When Ryan tells Lauren that Dylan went round to see her, Lauren is horrified, and later chases him through the precinct.

The pair get into a tense confrontation that ends in a horrifying accident, a new spoiler video reveals.

As Lauren continues to scream at Dylan that he is to blame for Betsy having to learn to walk again, he insists that it isn’t his fault.

After slapping him, Lauren shoves Dylan to the ground, where he hits his head and loses consciousness.

Terrified, Lauren flees. How will Betsy react to Dylan’s attack, and what will Lisa make of it?

MORE: Coronation Street spoiler videos confirm huge exit and shock attack

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MORE: Lisa’s fears overwhelm her in Coronation Street as Carla becomes jailed Sarah’s friend in need

The crash occurred shortly before 5pm and saw two vehicles involved.

The incident prompted a large response from emergency services, with Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, and North West Ambulance Service all called to the scene.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 4.45pm (on Saturday, August 1, one fire engine from Bolton North Community Fire Station was called to attend a road traffic collision involving two cars on Blackburn Road, Bolton.

“Crews arrived quickly and worked with North West Ambulance Service and Greater Manchester Police to make the area safe.

“Firefighters were in attendance for approximately an hour.”

It has not been confirmed whether anybody was injured during the crash.

Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service were contacted for comment.

Michael Bretton was found guilty of murdering lorry driver Craig Hurcombe at Bristol Crown Court after stalking him with GPS trackers

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A possessive killer described as “obsessed” with his former partner has been handed a life sentence following the murder of her boyfriend.

Michael Bretton, of Armoury Yard, Shaftesbury, was convicted of murdering lorry driver Craig Hurcombe at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, July 31. The 41-year-old must serve a minimum of 29-and-a-half years, minus time already spent on remand prior to the trial.

The court heard how Bretton employed “various methods” to locate and monitor Craig and Kate Saunders, seeking to “undermine” their relationship in December 2025. An “ongoing escalation” in his conduct culminated in Bretton tracking Craig from a property in North Somerset to a yard in Gurney Slade at around 6.20pm on January 1, reports Somerset Live.

It was at this location that Bretton carried out the killing, wielding a samurai sword to deliver a “single fatal stab wound to his torso”, claiming the life of the 39-year-old. Bretton subsequently attempted to conceal his actions by trying to burn Craig’s clothing, before burying his body in a shallow grave within a small wooded area on the site.

In the course of the police investigation, officers established that Craig and Kate had previously been in a relationship between 2017 and 2023. Jurors were told that in 2025, Bretton encountered Kate through a dating site, and following a brief, casual liaison, she severed contact with him.

The court heard that at this point Bretton desired “a relationship to progress to a more formal ‘boyfriend and girlfriend’ status”. Following Kate’s decision to end their relationship, Bretton began stalking both her and Craig – monitoring her movements to and from her residence and lingering near Craig’s place of work.

He purchased two GPS tracking devices online, which he secretly attached to vehicles belonging to Kate and Craig to follow their whereabouts. The stalking turned “more sinister” on New Year’s Eve when Craig returned to the yard to find the tyres on his Audi had been punctured.

Vehicle data confirmed Bretton’s presence in Pound Lane at the time Craig arrived at the premises on January 1. Officers also secured CCTV footage showing Craig’s final appearance after reaching the yard. The same surveillance cameras later captured Bretton at the location, following Craig’s murder.

Bretton subsequently retrieved the tracking device from Craig’s vehicle before driving the Audi away from the yard and torching it in nearby Galley Batch Lane. In a final effort to cover his tracks, Bretton travelled to an area close to the River Stour, carrying the tracking device removed from Craig’s Audi.

Throughout the investigation, officers examined the location where Bretton had paused, and police divers searched the water, recovering a corroded sword believed to be the weapon used in Craig’s killing. Following the murder, Bretton departed the scene and used Craig’s mobile phone to respond to messages while impersonating him, creating the illusion he remained alive and unharmed for several days.

On Saturday, January 10, Craig’s mother, Nicola Hurcombe, reported him missing to Wiltshire Police, prompting an investigation to be launched. Within just two days, officers had gathered evidence pinpointing Craig’s last-known whereabouts at the yard.

The case was subsequently handed over to Avon and Somerset Police, who continued efforts to locate Craig. On Wednesday, January 14, Craig’s body was recovered.

SomersetLive reported that pathologist Dr Amanda Jeffery, who conducted a post-mortem examination on Mr Hurcombe’s body, concluded he had died as a result of a single lengthy stab injury which had penetrated through his torso.

During the trial, Bretton’s defence counsel told the jury that Craig had “slipped” while climbing into his lorry and fallen onto “a metal shaft”.

The court was told that Bretton had followed Craig to his workplace to “confront him” and had buried his body following what he claimed was an accidental death. The jury rejected his account and convicted him of murder.

Following his death, Craig’s parents, Nicola and Paul, released a heartfelt tribute on behalf of the family, saying: “Craig was the perfect son and an independent man, and we are living with unimaginable loss and a huge hole in our lives which we will never come to terms with.

“Craig was very hardworking, ambitious, and very well thought of in his circle of work, especially his boss, who has expressed his gratitude for all Craig did for the company.”

The family noted that Craig is deeply missed by everyone who knew him, including his siblings Ashley, Laura, Jess, and niece Skye, along with the wide circle of friends he spent his time with.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Neil Meade said: “From the outset of this investigation, our sole aim was to secure justice for Craig and his family. Craig was a much-loved son, brother and uncle, and his family are now having to come to terms with a future no longer filled with his smile, his kindness and his love.”

He continued: “Bretton is one of the most dangerous individuals I have ever dealt with. His behaviour, including the stalking of Kate and the extraordinary lengths he went to in order to control and influence both Craig and Kate’s lives, was deeply disturbing.

“The level of planning and premeditation behind Craig’s murder was horrific. Throughout the investigation, Bretton appeared almost arrogant in the extensive measures he took to cover his tracks and evade responsibility.

“His claim that Craig simply ‘fell’ onto a metal shaft is utterly implausible, and I am grateful the jury saw through his lies and delivered a verdict that hopefully brings some measure of justice and closure to Craig’s family and friends.

“They have had to endure hearing and witnessing the details of Craig’s final moments, while also navigating the immense grief of losing someone they loved so dearly. I hope today’s outcome allows them to begin moving forward, knowing the person responsible has been held accountable.”

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BEIRUT (AP) — Crude oil appeared to be leaking and spreading in recent days from a sanctioned tanker grounded off the coast of Oman, close to a marine protected area, satellite images reviewed by The Associated Press show.

The images, the last of which was on Friday, show an oil sheen covering about 20 square kilometers (8 square miles) and dark spots of crude oil slicks on the shores of Dhofar’s Qibliyah Island, part of the Hallaniyat Islands.

The images indicated that the crude oil was gradually coming out of the tanker in low quantities over the last week, affecting shorelines in the area, and has spread into a thin sheen around the island, said Wim Zwijnenburg, an environmental expert for PAX, a Dutch peace organization that focuses on conflict and the environment.

“The last few days, the imagery indicates an increase in oil coming out, as the size of the … sheen is growing,” he said. “The main risk is the breaking of the ship” as the windy monsoon season “might take its toll on the hull.” Seas are rough and there are strong winds during the monsoon season of May to September.

Zwijnenburg estimated the tanker is carrying more than 800,000 barrels of crude oil.

Images from July 28 showed the crude was mostly in the bay northwest of the ship, which ran aground off Qibliyah Island, with the oil sheen enveloping the coast, he said.

The 274-meter (899-foot) long Suezmax tanker Caroline Bezengi is sanctioned by the U.K. for carrying oil that originated in Russia and “has been or is likely to be involved in activity whose object or effect is to destabilize Ukraine.” The Cameroon-flagged tanker is also sanctioned by the European Union, Canada and Switzerland.

The tanker has been grounded off the Dhofar coast since June, according to two shipping and maritime news outlets, who reported that the crew reported an explosion on board at the time. The AP was not able to independently confirm the reports.

SynMax Maritime, a geospatial data tracking company, said it obtained images in May showing the tanker at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, in Russia, before its most recent voyage.

“The situation surrounding the tanker Caroline Bezengi is yet another alarming example of the serious environmental risks posed by Russia’s so-called shadow fleet,” said Nina Noelle of Greenpeace Germany in a statement shared with AP. As of July 24, she said, the impacts of the leak were already evident. Stretches of coastline and the area’s sensitive marine ecosystem have been polluted and damaged.