North Yorkshire Police says its officers were called after a ‘disturbance’ on the street in Colliergate in York at 2pm today (August 17).

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Eyewitnesses reported seeing four police vans and an ambulance at the scene, with one additional van parked down Fossgate – with police confirming that the two incidents were linked.

“The victim, a woman in her 40s, was taken to hospital for treatment,” said a spokesperson for the force.

The suspects, a man, 42, and two women, aged 49 and 57 remain in police custody at the time of writing.

The force added that anyone who witnessed the incident and has not already spoken to the police should get in touch through the police website, live chat, or by calling 101.

Please quote reference 12260160266 when passing on information.

He will face magistrates over the allegations that he tried to ensure prohibited drugs and phones entered Risley prison.

Amir Kamchah, aged 50 and of Park Lane West in Swinton, has been charged with four counts of attempt to convey a prohibited article into a prison, namely HM Prison Risley.

All of the charges are alleged to have been committed in Warrington on May 31, 2024.

The defendant is alleged to have conveyed three ‘list A’ items into the category C prison on Warrington Road.

According to the particulars of the charges, these items are the class B drugs ketamine and cannabis and the opioid methadone.

The fourth item is said to be ‘list B’ in the form of two mobile phones.

Kamchah is due to make a first appearance in connection with the allegations before Warrington Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, Tuesday.

A spray of perfume on the neck is a familiar final step before leaving the house. But a viral Instagram post by a cancer specialist has singled out the neck as an area “worth thinking about” because it lies close to the thyroid gland.

The caption says there is no evidence that spraying perfume on the neck damages the thyroid. Yet its references to hormone disruption and lifelong chemical exposure through thin skin may suggest a possible link with thyroid disease or cancer. Could a quick spritz really pose a special risk?

Current evidence does not show that applying perfume over the thyroid selectively delivers fragrance chemicals to the gland or exposes it to a higher dose than spraying elsewhere. Research on skin absorption and the anatomy of the neck do not support the idea of a direct, selective route to the thyroid.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the lower front of the neck. It releases hormones that help control how the body uses energy and sits beneath the skin and several layers of connective tissue and muscle.

What happens when perfume reaches the skin?

Skin acts as a barrier. An ingredient may evaporate, remain on the surface, enter the skin’s layers or reach the bloodstream. Absorption depends on the chemical, its mixture, skin condition and location, dose and contact time.

Body site can influence absorption. Once a chemical reaches blood vessels in the deeper skin, it can circulate more widely. Applying a substance near an organ does not automatically target that organ.

Safety assessments of sprayable cosmetics also consider inhalation. This route does not give the thyroid special exposure from neck application.

What about phthalates and hormones?

Much of the concern centres on phthalates, a family of chemicals with different uses and health effects. Diethyl phthalate, or DEP, has been used as a solvent and fixative in fragrances. Other phthalates have mainly been used to make plastics flexible. Evidence about one member of the family cannot simply be applied to all the others.

A systematic review published online in 2024 brought together 17 studies involving 5,616 children and adolescents. It reported associations between phthalate exposure and levels of some thyroid hormones, while findings for other hormones were inconsistent. The studies examined exposure from multiple sources. They did not investigate perfume application to the neck or the development of thyroid disease, and cannot establish cause and effect.

Perfume can contribute to DEP exposure. In a study of 337 women, perfume users had higher urinary levels of monoethyl phthalate, a breakdown product of DEP. This supports perfume as a source of DEP exposure. The study did not examine thyroid damage or application site.

An “endocrine disruptor” is an outside substance that changes the hormone system and causes a harmful effect. Risk depends on the chemical, dose, route, timing and duration of exposure. A hormonal effect in a laboratory experiment does not establish the risk from a finished perfume used in everyday conditions.

Repeated use means repeated exposure, although it does not necessarily mean accumulation. Phthalates are converted into breakdown products that pass out of the body quickly in urine, while frequent use can repeatedly renew exposure.

In Great Britain and Northern Ireland, cosmetics must undergo a safety assessment before being placed on the market, although the regulatory systems differ. Assessors consider ingredients, concentrations, intended use and likely exposure. Fragrance mixtures may be listed as “parfum”, while specified allergens must be named above prescribed concentrations under Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s rules.

The better-established skin risks

For perfume applied directly to skin, the clearest established concern is allergic contact dermatitis, an itchy, inflamed rash caused by contact with an ingredient. A review estimated that fragrance contact allergy affects 0.7% to 2.6% of the general population.

An allergic reaction can develop after someone becomes sensitised, meaning their immune system has learned to react to an ingredient. Later contact can produce itching and an eczema-like red rash. Perfume can also irritate skin without causing an allergy. If a rash persists or returns, patch testing can help identify the cause.

Some fragrance ingredients can cause a phototoxic reaction, a sunburn-like response when a chemical on the skin is exposed to light. A human study of model perfumes found that bergamot oil containing a light-reactive chemical could cause such a reaction after exposure to ultraviolet A, or UVA. The risk depended on the concentration and UV dose, so this does not apply to every perfume.

Long-term sun exposure is considered a main contributor to poikiloderma of Civatte, which causes reddish-brown, thinned skin with visible small blood vessels on the sides of the neck. A small study of 32 patients suggested fragrance allergy might contribute in some people, but could not show that fragrance caused the condition.

Perfume odour can also affect people with migraine. In one clinic-based study, people with migraine frequently named perfume as an odour they believed had triggered attacks. The study relied on recollections, so cannot provide a population estimate or prove causation. It provides no evidence of thyroid damage.

So, should you avoid spraying your neck?

For most people, current evidence provides no thyroid-related reason to avoid the neck specifically. Cancer Research UK reports no evidence that using perfume causes cancer.

If perfume causes burning or an itchy rash, stop applying it to the skin and seek medical advice if the reaction persists. “Natural” fragrances are not automatically gentler because essential oils can also cause allergic contact dermatitis. A “phthalate-free” label does not by itself establish that a fragrance is safer because phthalates differ and replacement products are not automatically safer.

Further research could clarify the effects of repeated exposure to fragrance mixtures. Current evidence does not show that spraying the neck gives fragrance chemicals special access to the thyroid.

North Yorkshire Council has confirmed that the Swaledale Drainage Improvement scheme will require a full road closure over two separate periods in August.

The first closure began at 8.30am on Monday, August 17, 2026, and is scheduled to remain in place until 3.30pm on Friday, August 21.

The road will then reopen for the weekend before a second full closure comes into force at 8.30am on Monday, August 24, lasting until 3.30pm on Friday, August 28.

Roadworks information published for the scheme shows a signed diversion of around 77.4km, or 48 miles, which is expected to take motorists about an hour to complete.

The diversion begins on Guning Lane and takes drivers through a number of roads before eventually returning to Guning Lane.

The route includes sections towards Cliff Gate Road, Brunt Acres Road, Burtersett Road, High Street, Richmond Road, Mount Drive, Bellerby Road and Runs Bank.

The reverse route applies for motorists travelling in the opposite direction.

Information provided for road users states: “Closure for drainage improvement works.

“The works are scheduled to begin at 8.30am on Monday, August 17, 2026, and will be carried out under a full road closure until 3.30pm on Friday, August 21, when the road will be reopened for the weekend.

“A second full road closure will then be in place from 8.30am on Monday, August 24, to 3.30pm on Friday, August 28.”

Although the roadworks listing gives an overall event period running until 11.59pm on August 28, the council’s description says the second full closure is expected to finish at 3.30pm that day.

Motorists are being advised to follow the diversion signage in place and allow extra time for their journeys.

Drivers should check the latest road conditions and diversion information before travelling, as arrangements can change depending on the progress of the works.

Jill told followers their relationship had ended due to Tommy’s “unresolved connections to the past”

A Boston woman who found love with a Tartan Army footsoldier has ended their romance as the Record reveals her former lover is facing serious criminal charges.

Jill Roberts, 42, met Tommy Morrison, 38, during the World Cup amidst Scotland fans’ takeover of Fenway Park in the US city on June 16. What began as a chance encounter between the American singer and the joiner, from Bonnyrigg, quickly blossomed into a long-distance relationship, with Jillian even booking flights to Scotland to see her new boyfriend at the end of August.

But now, two months after their romance captured hearts online, we can confirm that Tommy appeared in court earlier this year on charges of offences under Solemn Procedure, usually dealt with by trial before a judge and a jury of 15 people.

Jill has since revealed she has ended their relationship.

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In an emotional video posted online, Jill addressed her followers to explained why she decided to walk away.

She said: “I really don’t like the position I am in right now. I know many of you have said that I don’t have to explain myself to anyone, which is totally true. We are all adults. We can do our own thing.

“I don’t owe anyone an explanation on any decisions that I make. But, I’m in this position where I went pretty public with a relationship and now things have changed.

“Where do things stand with me and Tommy? I’ve let him know that it’s over for me based on some things that happened.

“I don’t think he’s a bad person. I think he’s got a lot of great qualities and charisma. But, he has some unresolved connections with the past that he needs to resolve or pursue.”

Jill has made clear that, despite ending the romance, she walks away “feeling good” and explained her reasons for making their break-up public.

She continued: “If I have learned anything since coming out of religious control, getting divorced and really finding myself in the last five or six years, is that life is very short. It can be taken away so quickly. So, I am really intentional about my time, my peace and my happiness.

“I am walking away from this relationship with my head held high, feeling good and having clarity on it. It is what it is.

“So many of you have been so invested in our relationship so I feel some level of explanation is good, healthy and appropriate. But, I don’t want to overdo that. I don’t want people to fill in the blanks with something else that’s not true.”

The pair first crossed paths after Jill went to watch the Boston Red Sox take on the Toronto Blue Jays for Pride Night, unaware thousands of Scotland supporters would also descend on the famous ballpark. As she walked to her car, she bumped into Tommy, who was heading towards the train station.

The pair chatted briefly and Jill recorded a video of their encounter, but they went their separate ways without exchanging numbers. She later admitted she immediately regretted not getting his contact details.

Fate intervened when one of Tommy’s ex-girlfriends spotted Jill’s social media post and commented that she knew him. Jill then managed to get Tommy’s number and the pair began messaging on WhatsApp.

Their connection quickly intensified, with Tommy spending more than £100 on an Uber from Gillette Stadium after Scotland’s defeat to Morocco in Foxborough so he could see Jill. At the time, Jill described the relationship as an unexpected gift from Scotland’s World Cup adventure, saying they had connected over their shared cultures and carefree outlook.

The split leaves Jill facing an unexpected dilemma over the Scotland trip she had planned during the height of their romance. She had previously revealed that she had bought a plane ticket to visit Tommy at the end of August.

At the time, she said: “I would never have thought I’d be visiting Scotland a month after all of the Scottish fans visited Boston. I was completely surprised by the whole thing.”

Tommy had also spoken excitedly about the planned reunion, joking that Jill believed everyone in Scotland lived in castles and wore kilts every day. He had promised to organise a special surprise so she could experience the country in full.

But with the romance now over, Jill has been left questioning whether the trip should go ahead. In her video, she posed one final question to her followers.

She said: “There’s one remaining question – Do I just cancel my trip now or do I still go to Scotland and have a different trip than what I was expecting?”

Scottish supporters have rallied around Jill and urged her to make the trip.

One said: “Come to Scotland anyway and us ladies will show you how we rally round and have a f*****g good time when a man lets you down. Maybe he was just your ticket to an open door that you now have to Scotland.”

Another added: “Scotland is great, you will love it. Just go. I think ‘f**k it” is the correct term. You entered a relationship and it didn’t work out. That’s life, continue with yours.”

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The Causeway Coast settlement has been rated Northern Ireland’s top seaside town in the annual Which? reader survey, beating off competition from well-known rivals

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Northern Ireland’s top seaside destination has been revealed – and it’s not Ballycastle, Portrush or Newcastle.

This summer has been an absurdly hot one across the UK. Last week, Northern Ireland entered its fourth heatwave of the season. Temperatures exceeded 25C in several spots on Thursday, while Armagh had three consecutive days of 25C or more, meaning it is officially a heatwave.

According to the Met Office, the mean temperature this summer in Northern Ireland is 15.4C, which is 1.38C above the long-term average. The country is on track to record its hottest summer ever.

While this has (and should) make us concerned about the worsening impacts of climate change, it has also presented some good opportunities to head to the beach. And Northern Ireland has one of the best.

Every year, Which? readers cast their votes to determine their preferred coastal location across the UK. England’s Bognor Regis had another year to forget, finishing bottom of the rankings for the second year running, with visitors criticising its high costs and dilapidated appearance.

Fortunately, none of Northern Ireland’s seaside towns featured among the worst 30. In fact, one secured a place on the ‘best’ list.

Several local contenders were in the running. Portrush in County Antrim is arguably the province’s most famous coastal town, sitting on a rugged peninsula with three expansive sandy beaches. Newcastle in County Down is another firm favourite, nestled between the Irish Sea and the Mourne Mountains and offering a fine combination of mountain trails and coastal walks. Then there’s Ballycastle, also in County Antrim — a historic market town that consistently ranks among the finest places to live, with a stunning Blue Flag beach and a thriving traditional harbour.

Yet none of these made the Which? list. That accolade belongs to Portstewart in County Derry.

Portstewart ranks among the most picturesque destinations along Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, and its appeal is easy to understand. Portstewart Strand is the headline attraction — a two-mile Blue Flag beach managed by the National Trust and backed by a spectacular dune system. What sets it apart is the rare ability to drive directly onto the sand, making it ideal for families with young children or those travelling with lots of kit. Whether you fancy swimming, surfing, paddleboarding or simply a stroll through the dunes, there is something for everyone.

The town itself has plenty more to offer. The Promenade retains its charming Victorian-era seafront character, lined with cafes, ice cream parlours and sweeping sea views. During the summer months, it becomes the beating heart of the town’s social scene.

Much like Broadstairs in Kent, Portstewart has its own ice cream institution in Morelli’s. A beloved fixture on the Prom, it has been serving locals and visitors alike since the early 1900s.

Golf enthusiasts are equally well catered for at Portstewart Golf Club, which features three courses including a championship links course that hugs the coastline. The world-renowned Royal Portrush is also within easy reach.

For those with a cultural appetite, Flowerfield Arts Centre — housed within a grand Victorian mansion — hosts exhibitions and events throughout the year. The town also serves as an excellent base for exploring the wider coastline, with convenient access to the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Dunluce Castle and Mussenden Temple. The area has long attracted Game of Thrones fans too, thanks to its proximity to a number of filming locations used in the series.

In contrast to its livelier neighbour Portrush, Portstewart maintains a calmer, more residential atmosphere — making it an ideal base for those who want easy access to the region’s attractions without the bustle of the crowds.

The town itself has plenty more to offer. The Promenade retains its charming Victorian-era seafront character, lined with cafes, ice cream parlours and sweeping sea views.

Much like Broadstairs in Kent, Portstewart boasts its own ice cream institution — Morelli’s. A beloved fixture on the Prom, it has been serving locals and visitors alike since the early 1900s.

For those with a cultural appetite, Flowerfield Arts Centre — Northern Ireland’s first such venue — is housed within a grand Victorian mansion and hosts exhibitions and events throughout the year. The town serves as an excellent starting point for discovering the broader coastline, offering convenient access to the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Dunluce Castle, and Mussenden Temple.

Paul Kemp has sold the Last Drop Inn to the Ilkley-based White Wells pub company.

As previously reported, Paul acquired the Last Drop Inn from the Black Sheep Brewery after it entered administration in 2023 and transformed the venue into a much-loved, award-winning success.

However, earlier this year, the 51-year-old announced plans to sell the pub mainly for health reasons and to seek a new ‘adventure’ whilst he was young.

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White Wells Pub company was formed earlier this year and bar at 20 and spent the last 15 years in brewingis made up of Ian Fozard of Harrogate-based Roosters Brewery; Paul Betts of Roosters Brewery and the Ilkley Brewing Company, Graham Smith and Luke Raven.

Luke says White Wells was formed out of a love for pubs, to see them thrive, not just survive. The company seeks ‘pubs with purpose’, aiming to put quality first, be it beer or service.

Luke has worked in hospitality since he was 15, starting out as a pub bottlewasher. He opened his first bar at 10 and then spent 15 years at the Ilkley Brewery, rising to becoming its managing director until recently. He also co-owns The Ilkley Tap, which opened in 2024.

Luke Raven of the White Wells Pub Company getting the keys from Paul Kemp (Image: Darren Greenwood)

He left the brewery to set up the White Wells Pub Company, which aims to have an estate of ten pubs in the next couple of years.

Luke told the Press: “This won’t be a chain, with one-size-fits-all branding or approach – each site we find will be unique and will have its own identity.”

Luke says the Last Drop Inn is ‘fantastic’ noting Paul Kemp “transformed it from a tired and unloved pub into a cask beer haven.”

He continued: “When we found out it might be available, we didn’t hesitate. Just before the sale went through, the Last Drop was awarded City Pub of the Year by York CAMRA, and so we see ourselves as proud custodians more than anything else.”

Already, Luke says the basics are in place, with loyal regulars, who will be sought their views.

The number of handpull cask lines will be increased from 8 to ten, ensuring there is alcohol free beer, and expanding the local craft beers, with an emphasis on Yorkshire.

Luke continued: “We’re planning a little facelift at the beginning of September, to freshen up the place and also to increase the seating options. York is such a vibrant city, and Colliergate always bustling and busy, but our little pub is easy to miss, so we want to add some subtle touches that draw people in. We are also looking to utilise additional space in the upstairs rooms.”

The venue continues with its cask club, its Wednesday pub quiz, pies from from the Sambles Pie & Sausage company, and is planning to relaunch live music very soon. There is also a Last Drop loyalty card, plus a locally-brewed Last Drop Lager and Blonde

All the former staff were kept on and the only new member is a returning staff member Nat, who was recommended by Paul Kemp and is back as manager.

Luke added his company has offers for a number of pubs across Yorkshire and having “fallen in love” with York, could acquire a second venue in the city.

He added on Thursday September 10, the Last Drop will celebrate its mini-refit  and “would love to welcome faces new and old for a drink that evening.”

At the time, the true extent of the violence and its racial motivations were not fully exposed. Senior Metropolitan police officers attempted to dismiss the violence as the work of “ruffians, both coloured and white” hellbent on hooliganism. But confidential police files only released in 2002 confirm what many in the black community already knew to be true: that the unrest was overwhelmingly instigated by 300 to 400-strong “Keep Britain White” mobs, many of them Teddy Boys armed with iron bars, butcher’s knives and weighted leather belts, who went on a rampage among the West Indian residents of Notting Hill. The files, which were closed under the 75-year rule but were released early, show that senior officers tried to convince the then home secretary, “Rab” Butler, that there had been no real racial element to the rioting.

The victim was found at his home

A man who stabbed his father in a “horrific act of violence” pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Adam Merritt stabbed 60-year-old Robert Merritt 16 times at home in Orton Malborne, Peterborough, in June 2022.

Mr Merritt was found at his home in the early hours of June 29, 2022. He was found with injuries and was declared dead shortly afterwards. A post-mortem examination concluded that Mr Merritt died from stab wounds.

His son, Merritt, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and was taken to Thorpe Wood Police Station. He was since charged with murder.

Merritt had lived with a chronic psychiatric disorder since 2008, according to the BBC. He reportedly stopped taking his anti-psychotic medication two weeks before the attack but had taken a dose of medicine the day before stabbing his father to death, the jury heard.

On Friday, August 14, Merritt pleaded not guilty to murder, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He was handed a Section 37 hospital order and Section 41 restrictions order.

Detective Superintendent Iain Moor, from the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit, said: “What Adam Merritt did that day was a horrific act of violence, which saw a man who was a father, a grandfather, a friend, and a neighbour tragically lose his life. The whole case is terribly sad and my thoughts and sympathies are with the family.”

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for help to identify a man following a racially aggravated incident in Harrogate.

The incident took place in Ripon Road, where a man was racially abused and had his car attacked as he drove along.

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“We believe the man in the image will have information that could help our investigation,” said a spokesperson for the force.

Anyone who recognises him or can help identify him is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police by emailing Sam.Raw@northyorkshire.police.uk, calling 101, or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference 12260140563 when providing information.