‘Racism and discrimination in all forms are completely unacceptable’

A 71-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of directing racist abuse towards Manchester City striker Antoine Semenyo during Monday night’s 3-3 draw at Everton.

Separately, the club said defender Marc Guehi was subject to ‘a series of vile racist social media posts’ after the game.

Guehi made a key error in the match which led to Everton equalising through Thierno Barry before going on to take a 3-1 lead which City clawed back late on.

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Merseyside Police said a man from Nottinghamshire was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after supporters and stewards reported that racist abuse was shouted by a fan at Semenyo.

A police statement said: “He has since been bailed with conditions, including restrictions preventing him from going within one mile of any designated sports stadium for a period of up to four hours before kick-off, during matches and up to four hours after the final whistle.

“An investigation into the incident during the match remains ongoing and we continue to work closely with Everton Football Club.”

City condemned the incident, while Everton said: “Racism and discrimination in all forms are completely unacceptable. They have no place in our stadia, our sport or in society, and behaviour of this nature will not be tolerated. A swift response from fellow supporters, stewards and Merseyside Police led to the individual being identified and appropriate action taken.

“The club will continue to work closely with the authorities to support their investigation and will take the strongest possible action in line with its zero-tolerance approach.”

It is the second time this season that Semenyo has been the target of alleged racial abuse. In August, the Ghana international reported an incident during his then club Bournemouth’s 4-2 defeat at Liverpool.

In December, Mark Morgan, 47, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to an offence of racially aggravated disorderly behaviour against Semenyo. His trial was due to begin last month but the case has been adjourned until September to determine whether Morgan is fit to stand trial. Semenyo had been expected to give evidence.

A statement from City said: “Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse directed towards Antoine Semenyo at yesterday’s match. We welcome the swift action taken by Everton and the police to identify the individual responsible.

“We are also incredibly disappointed to hear that Marc Guehi was subject to a series of vile racist social media posts last night. We will continue to offer our full support to both Antoine and Marc and never accept discrimination of any kind in our game.”

City’s draw at Everton was a potentially decisive moment in the Premier League title race with Arsenal. By dropping points, they have handed the initiative back to the Gunners who can secure the crown by winning their remaining fixtures against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace.

A statement posted to the official England account on X read: “This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and must have consequences. We stand with both Marc and his Manchester City team-mate Antoine, and support strong action by the authorities and social media companies.”

The victim suffered a bleed on the brain and developed epilepsy due to Powell’s actions

A Welsh man who stole part of a £3m Viking hoard has been jailed for a “brutal” attack on a friend over stolen gold. George Powell, 45, from Pill in Newport, was jailed in 2019 for his part in stealing 300 Viking coins and gold jewellery he found in a field in Herefordshire in 2015.

It is regarded as one of the biggest treasure finds in British history. In January 2025 Powell went on the run after he failed to repay £600,000 – his share of the hoard.

Police did not find him until nine months later, in October 2025, when he was arrested and charged with GBH following an incident in Paignton, Devon. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here

The incident saw Powell’s friend, Lewis Prosser, sustain serious injuries including a bleed on the brain.

Powell previously pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and appeared at Exeter Crown Court to be sentenced for the offence on Monday. He appeared via a link from custody at Exeter HMP.

Prosecuting, Michael Brown, told the court how on October 16, 2025, Powell invited Mr Prosser to stay with him at a caravan at Hoburne holiday park on Grange Road, Paignton. Powell had previously booked into it with a false name to conceal his true identity.

Mr Brown said Mr Prosser recalls that their first evening was uneventful, that they shared some drinks and had a “good night”. “The after his recollection of the events and timeline is poor,” Mr Brown said.

The prosecution had been able to establish that in the early hours of October 18 the victim had booked a taxi with the intention of leaving, after it appeared that a disagreement had taken place.

Mr Prosser told the police that Powell had wanted to carry on drinking, and he hadn’t. However in an initial statement he told officers that the argument arose because Powell had taken gold items and jewellery from him. Subsequently items that matched this description were found.

Mr Brown told the court how Mr Prosser got to Paignton train station but was unable to catch a train due to the time, and so had returned to the caravan to sleep.

It was heard how the victim awoke to Powell on top of him and hitting him with two weapons: a knife and a trunch baton.

It is the prosecution’s case that Powell was hitting Mr Prosser on his head with the knife, with the victim recalling feeling a sharp pain.

Mr Brown described the attack as “prolonged, sustained and repeated”, resulting in “extensive blood at the scene”.

Mr Prosser managed to get to another caravan, it was heard. The occupants of which called the emergency services, with paramedics and police officers arriving on the scene.

Mr Prosser received first aid at the scene and was “in and out of consciousness”. He was in hospital for 10 days, with his injuries identified as: a bleed on the brian, a fractured jaw, a fractured ankle, a full-thickness head wound, bruising and swelling, reduced hearing and reduced and double vision. It was heard how the victim also developed epilepsy as a result of the incident.

In a victim impact statement Mr Prosser described how he has been left with poor short term memory and balance issues. He described having members of his family helping him with basic tasks and checking he takes his medication correctly. He has also been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and has made multiple attempts to end his own life, he said.

Powell was arrested on October 21, arguing that he attacked Mr Prosser in “self-defence”. He has 23 convictions for 60 offences.

Powell’s defence barrister told the court that this incident is not part of “a pattern of offending”. He added that his client “wholeheartedly regrets” the incident and “has got the capacity to not come back before the courts”. He said Powell has Crohn’s disease which has impacted negatively on his time in custody.

Addressing Powell, Judge Stephen Climie, called the incident a “brutal attack”. He sentenced him to 20 months in prison. This will be added to his current sentence of five years and three months for failing to repay the money.

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A veterinarian surgery that allegedly turned Derek away has responded to criticism as fundraising organisers look to establish a legacy in the cat’s memory

The much celebrated Cameron’s car park cat has sadly died.

The news was announced on Derek the cat’s GoFundMe page yesterday (Tuesday), after Belfast Live previously reported on how a good Samaritan and others tried to save his life. The fundraising page was originally set up to pay for his recovery but will now cover his vet bills and a memorial to the much-loved kitty.

Derek was discovered collapsed in the Ballymena car park – where he was a fixture who had his own wee house – by shopper Beverley Gibson on Saturday. Beverley said she rang Fenaghy Veterinary Practice just after 1pm where she was told on the phone that the practice would be closing at 2pm. She added that later at the practice, the attending veterinarian announced they had a personal matter to attend to and had to leave on time.

READ MORE: Community rallies to save Ballymena’s ‘celebrity carpark cat’ in critical conditionREAD MORE: Donaghadee Road vehicle fire LIVE as one person airlifted to hospital

Beverley said: “I arrived at the practice urgently with Derek. He was taken from me, but the response I witnessed was deeply concerning and lacked both urgency and compassion.

“I could clearly hear staff discussing closing at 2:00pm and questioning what they were going to do with him, rather than prioritising emergency care. The overall attitude of the staff, and in particular the attending vet, appeared dismissive, uncaring, and lacking in basic compassion for a critically ill animal.

“Although he was briefly examined, staff proceeded to make phone calls to other veterinary practices and Cats Protection while Derek remained in a critical, life-threatening condition on the premises. The attending vet stated that they were unwilling to instigate treatment as the practice was closing at 2:00pm.

“After these calls, I was informed that no one was willing to take responsibility for his care and that the practice was closing. In desperation, I contacted Yvonne’s Independent Cat Rescue to ask if I could bring Derek to their vets, Clare Veterinary Group, and whether he could be placed into their care on a temporary basis in order to ensure he received urgent treatment. Yvonne personally responded immediately and agreed without hesitation.

“I made it clear that Derek was at risk of dying in the car. At this stage, he was gasping for oxygen, his pupils were dilated, and he was in obvious distress. No advice was provided regarding safe transport or emergency measures. he attending vet stated she needed to leave at 2pm due to a personal matter. Before leaving, euthanasia was mentioned without any formal diagnosis or attempt at stabilisation.

“I transported Derek myself, sitting in the back seat holding and comforting him while my husband drove, attempting to maximise airflow. It was a frightening, emotional race against time for a cat that means so much to the local community. I phoned Clare Veterinary Group en-route to alert them. Upon arrival, Derek was immediately taken by a prepared team and given urgent care without delay or hesitation.”

Beverley and her husband rushed Derek to Clare Vet in Ballyclare – more than 15 miles away – in an effort to save his life, but unfortunately, despite their best efforts, he later passed away.

Belfast Live approached Fenaghy Vets for a right to reply.

A spokesman said: “Derek was seen and assessed by our team at Fenaghy Vets on Saturday. The team followed our usual protocol for emergency cases, which in this instance included an ultrasound examination and initial treatment to stabilise his condition.

“Suitable arrangements were then made for Derek to receive out-of-hours care at a 24-hour clinic, ensuring ongoing monitoring and treatment were in place. We recognise how much Derek meant to the Ballymena community and our thoughts are with everyone that cared for him’”

Derek’s memorial page was updated with the following message: “Derek, you made us smile and truly touched our hearts. If anything good can come from this, let it be a reminder to be kind to one another, kindness is everything.

“We will be arranging a memorial service for Derek, and will share details in due course for anyone who would like to attend and celebrate his life. Going forward, after settling Derek’s veterinary bill, we hope to arrange a permanent memorial for him in the car park (council permitting), such as an engraved plaque or stone.

“Any remaining monies will be used to set up ‘Derek’s Memorial Fund’ with Clare Vet Group to help other sanctuary cats in urgent need.”

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A new update given to councillors on the Education Resources Committee today (May 5) shows how targeted funding is being used to support pupils affected by deprivation across South Lanarkshire Council.

South Lanarkshire Council has outlined progress and steps in its efforts to close the poverty-related attainment gap in schools.

A new update given to councillors on the Education Resources Committee today (May 5) shows how targeted funding is being used to support pupils affected by deprivation across South Lanarkshire Council.

Councillor Katy Loudon (Cambuslang East) praised the report, and said: “Thank you for the report, it’s very detailed and my only comment is to say thanks for that level of information. It’s really important we keep an eye on this, there’s been a significant amount of funding and central investment in this as you can see and from 24/25 as it says that level has gone up.

“It’s really great to see this progress, maths and literacy gaps coming down.”

Around 23 per cent of children in the area live in relative poverty and this continues to have a clear impact on learning and attainment.

Funding through the Strategic Equity Fund has increased to over £2.2 million for 2025/26. It is being used to improve literacy, numeracy, engagement, relationships, curriculum delivery and progression routes for young people.

The council has set targets for the coming year, which include better attainment in literacy and numeracy. They also include improved exam results, attendance and wellbeing. More school leavers are expected to move into positive destinations such as work, training or further education.

There is also a strong focus on reducing the cost of the school day. All schools now have policies to help cut costs for families. They also support access to free school meals and clothing grants.

READ MORE: South Lanarkshire community learning initiative has been praised

In addition, schools will receive £9.9 million in Pupil Equity Funding. This is controlled locally by schools.

Funding is confirmed until at least 2026/27. This gives schools longer-term stability for planning and delivery.

The approach is designed to improve outcomes for the most disadvantaged pupils and progress will continue to be closely monitored.

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Ardent, based in Roecliffe, has been honoured in the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2026 in the category of international trade.

Neil Crowther, CEO and founder of Ardent, said: “This award means a huge amount to us.

“When we started the business over 30 years ago, it was built on a simple idea—do the job properly, look after your customers, and create solutions that genuinely keep people safe.

“To see how far we’ve come, and to be recognised with something as significant as the King’s Awards, is incredibly special.”

The company provides critical safety systems for operators in sectors such as transport and mining.

Its solutions are used by fleet operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) across Europe, as well as at mining sites in Eastern Africa.

Mr Crowther said: “What makes it even more meaningful is that it reflects the effort of our whole team, past and present, and the relationships we’ve built with customers around the world.

“We’ve grown together over the years, and that trust is what’s really behind this achievement.

“We’re very proud of what we’ve built and I am even more excited about what comes next.”

Ardent says its success is rooted in a customer-focused approach, turning complex operational challenges into practical, commercially viable safety solutions.

The company is currently expanding into new sectors, including EV infrastructure and industrial processing.

The company said the King’s Awards mark a new milestone in Ardent’s growth, reinforcing its status as a leader in UK exports and a champion of British engineering on the world stage.

The former Love Island star is backing a British Sign Language campaign

Strictly Come Dancing star Tasha Ghouri has said that she sometimes feels like she’s in an ‘invisible box’ as she called for ‘changes’ in terms of how the deaf community are treated.

The 27-year-old Yorkshire native rose to fame on the 2022 edition of ITV dating show Love Island, where she met her ex-boyfriend Andrew Le Page. Tasha was praised for being open about being born deaf in one ear and revealing she underwent a cochlear implant surgery to enable her to use hearing aids.

Back in 2024, Tasha was paired with Aljaz Skorjanec on Strictly. The duo made it all the way to the final of the series which saw blind comedian Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell lift the Glitterball.

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Boasting 1.3 million Instagram followers, Tasha’s rise to fame has seen her land a number of huge brand deals, including becoming eBay’s first pre-loved ambassador. Last year saw her become a roaming reporter for the Strictly spin-off series It Takes Two.

Tasha has now spoken out as new research shows almost a quarter of people would avoid someone who is deaf if they thought communicating with them would be too difficult. The findings from hearing loss charity RNID show the extent to which deaf people still face significant barriers in everyday life, such as shopping, visiting the doctor or socialising.

Tasha is backing the RNID’s It Does Matter campaign, which equips people with simple communication tips and videos to learn basic phrases in British Sign Language (BSL). She said: “Being deaf in a world made for hearing people can feel like being in an invisible box. With a few simple changes, we can include everyone.

“Nobody should struggle doing everyday things like shopping, visiting the doctors or socialising. It’s time to smash the invisible barriers and build a society where everyone is included.

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“I was born deaf, so I’m familiar with everyday challenges people with hearing loss face. How you’re forced to adapt, just to survive modern life. Things have moved on since I was younger, but this research shows there’s still a way to go.”

She added: “The good news is, a more inclusive world is within reach. By changing the way we communicate, with a few small adjustments we can ensure deaf people are part of the conversation and no longer face barriers and hurdles.”

RNID, which offers support to the 18 million people who are deaf in the UK, have hearing loss or tinnitus, released the figures to mark Deaf Awareness Week, which runs from May 4-10. It found that 3% of people questioned said they would avoid a conversation with someone who is deaf or has hearing loss, if they thought communicating with them would be too difficult.

Almost a third (32%) worry about saying or doing the wrong thing when communicating with someone who is deaf or has hearing loss. Additionally, more than two in five (43%) of those questioned said they worry they may seem patronising when trying to communicate with someone who is deaf or has hearing loss.

The study suggested that many people do want to communicate better with people who are deaf or have hearing loss, but think they may lack the necessary skills and confidence. On top of this, it found that more than two thirds (69%) of those asked think knowing how to communicate with deaf people and people with hearing loss is everyone’s responsibility.

The majority (78%) said they would be willing to learn simple ways to communicate with deaf people and those with hearing loss better.

Crystal Rolfe, the charity’s director of health, said of the findings: “This research is a stark reminder that we still live in a society that shuts out deaf people and those with hearing loss. Often this is unintentional, but for deaf people it means everyday activities and interactions can be full of invisible barriers – from visiting the shops to catching public transport.

“Negative experiences build up over time and have a significant impact, making people feel lonely and isolated, hitting their confidence. But there is hope. The research also confirms what we already know: that people do want to communicate better and recognise the importance of including everyone in the conversation, but may lack the skills and confidence.

“This Deaf Awareness week is the perfect opportunity to be more deaf-aware. By making small changes to how we communicate, we can break down the everyday communication barriers. Together we can ensure everyone is included and has the opportunity to thrive.”

People can sign up for RNID’s communication tips, including videos of simple BSL phrases, by visiting www.rnid.org.uk/it-does-matter.

After thoroughly enjoying Amandaland season one, I was ready for round two, but the new episodes didn’t always work for me.

The new season drops us back into the eponymous Amanda’s (Lucy Punch) world as she desperately struggles to maintain her affluent lifestyle while living in a small apartment in South Harlsden (aka So-Ha!) with her two kids and a retail job (aka a collab).

As a spin-off, it has a brilliant premise and, seeing the Motherland star as a fish-out-of-water in season one, was an utter delight, as was the rich cast of supporting characters who were baffled at her self-centred and delusional perspective on life.

There was the will-they-won’t-they of Amanda and Mal (Samuel Anderson), Fi (Rochenda Sandall) and Della’s (Siobhan McSweeney) chaotic marriage, and Joanna Lumley’s reprisal of the inimitable Felicity.

And it created one of the best comedic moments on TV in recent years with Anne’s (Phillipa Dunne) perfectly executed R Kelly gag.

Season two doesn’t quite reach those heights, unfortunately. The ensemble cast leans too far into caricature (Fi and Della become almost difficult to watch), which takes away from how uniquely Amanda is disconnected from reality.

Having said that, Harriet Webb’s addition to the cast, as the no-nonsense new addition to the crew, helps to mitigate this problem, although I think their fresh dynamic is underused.

Elsewhere, the season fell foul to more forced gags and clunky joke-making than I would have liked, making for an awkward feel for a few of the scenes, especially early on. The season does seem to hit a stride as it goes along, however, with later episodes working better.

Another gripe I had is with how Anne’s character has been handled, with episode three hitting an especially low point. Without giving away too much, one subplot felt like a poor-taste Chat GPT advert that landed with a thud for me and almost made me switch off.

The saving grace of this season was, by far and away, Lucy’s stellar turn as Amanda, a role she has rarely put a foot wrong with since she first starred in Motherland.

In fact, the vast majority of moments during this season where I laughed out loud were down to her comedic timing and delivery of some cackle-worthy jokes. 

She pitches a loan to a bank in a truly bonkers way, delivers a classically egotistical presentation about her influencer brand, Senuous, and continues to deny that her full-time job at a kitchen store is her actual job.

She reaches a high point in episode four as she continues her quest to try to upscale her home. Almost single-handedly, her performance dragged me through the lower points of this season and just about made it a worthwhile watch. 

The 48-year-old actor manages to somehow put on both an insufferable performance, yet you are still somehow rooting for Amanda – it’s TV magic.

If the show trusts its audience to love these characters and the humour they effortlessly bring without trying to shoehorn contrived scenarios, all hope is not lost.

Normally, each episode is a sure bet, and I hope it can retain that magic for years to come.

If you love Amandaland, then the second season still has something to offer, but it’s entering wobbly territory from which I hope it returns.

Amandaland season two is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.

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Police, firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene on the A64 east bound near the York Designer Outlet shortly before 9.50pm on Tuesday (May 6).

No one was injured in the crash which happened close to the A19 turnoff, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

The fire service said four people were travelling in the car and were all out of the vehicle uninjured when the emergency services arrived.

A service spokesperson said the car is “believed to have skidded over onto its side”.

“On arrival crew confirmed four occupants in the car were all out on arrival and had no injuries,” they added.

“Paramedics on scene checked [the occupants of the car] over as a precaution. Incident was left in the hands of police. No service by fire crew required.”

Warren Roberts has now faced the consequences

A dad-of-two concealed £1,000-worth of cocaine in his own faeces after being clocked by police. A court heard yesterday (May 5) how drug dealer Warren Roberts had already been under investigation for suspected class A drug dealing.

But his criminal actions came crashing down after being caught outside a pub in Birkenhead, Merseyside, on January 29. The 29-year-old was later seen “messing around with his groin area”.

As he was searched, a “clump of feaces fell out”, including a ping pong ball containing 50 packages of cocaine. Roberts was previously detained on August 6, 2025, the Liverpool Echo reports.

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Officers on patrol in Birkenhead saw him carrying out a suspected drug deal at around 7.25pm. He was searched, and police found cash and a Nokia mobile phone containing messages they believed related to the supply of drugs.

Roberts, of River View in New Ferry, Merseyside, was arrested. A later search of his address revealed “scales which had white powder on them, a further set of scales from the same room, a bag of wraps of white powder, and further cash”, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

In total, 14 separate packages of cocaine weighing 2.6g, with a value of £280, were found, along with £1,094.95. Roberts was released under investigation, but was booked a second time on January 29.

Prosecutor Paul Blasbery said: “On this occasion police were patrolling Charing Cross in Birkenhead at 6.50pm.” They noticed a gathering outside a nearby pub, with Roberts among them.

The prosecutor continued: “Police recognised Roberts, who then ran away. He was detained a short time later and appeared to be messing around with his groin area. Officers were aware he was concealing items.”

Roberts was taken to a police station to be searched. The court was told that, when he removed his boxer shorts, “a clump of faeces fell out”, inside of which there was a ping pong ball.

The ping pong ball continued 50 packages of cocaine weighing 8.76g, with a street value of £1,000. Mr Blasbery said Roberts had four convictions for five offences, including possession with intent to supply class B (cannabis) in August 2024, for which he was given a nine month sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Roberts pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A (cocaine). He also admitted breaching the terms of his suspended sentence.

Andrew McInnes, defending, said Roberts was “hopelessly addicted to cocaine”. He said: “It seems he failed every drug test. He explains it was simply impossible for him to get out of the spiral he found himself in.

“He’s 30 this year and perhaps surprisingly his first conviction was less than three years ago. Mental health had been an issue for him for many years. He began to use drugs in his late 20s as a mans of escaping his problems; initially cannabis and now cocaine. Hs life spiralled out of control.

“He is the father of two young children and he knows he can offer precious little support to these children until he cleans himself up. Clearly he has not been either a good partner or good father. Realistically he wants to clean himself up and be a good father to both of them. He says he has begin to free himself of the addiction. He’s taking steps to try to reduce his intake.”

Judge Andrew Menary sentenced Roberts to four years in prison and partially activated his suspended sentence, resulting in a total prison term of four years and three months. He said: “You’re 29 now. You have got a daughter than deserves better than this.

“I hope during your time in custody you will reflect seriously on the choices that have brought you before this court, and emerge determined to lead a different life. That choice will of course be yours to make.”