The man took his tour operator to court

A German tourist who was on holiday in Greece has won a payout after being unable to get a sun lounger, because other holidaymakers had reserved them with towels. The man was given £850 after taking his tour operator to court.

A court in Hanover heard the man, who was on holiday with his family in 2024, got up at 6am and spent 20 minutes trying to find a sun lounger, but they had all been taken. He argued that the fact that the reservation system was allowed meant sunloungers were unusable.

The judge ruled the family of four was entitled to a refund on their package holiday, saying it was ‘defective’.

The man had paid €7,186 (£6,211) to take his wife and two children on holiday to the Greek island of Kos. He told the court his tour operator had failed to enforce the resort’s ban on reserving loungers, and did not confront guests.

He said his children had to lie on the floor. The tour operator had already agreed a £302 refund, but the court awarded a payout of £852.89.

The court said that while the tour operator did not run the hotel, it had an obligation to ensure there was a system in place to ensure a reasonable ratio of sunbeds to guests.

Sun lounger ‘wars’ are now a common factor of holidays in Europe with Brits abroad frequently filming queues and crowds of people trying to bag a sunbed at the start of the day, rushing across hotel leisure areas to find somewhere to spend the day close to the pool, bar or beach.

Hotel staff have also been filmed throwing towels off loungers to ensure they are not reserved.

Carstairs retains an unsettling aura, 80 years after it was build to accommodate “mental defectives”

The sight and sound of a police helicopter in the sky above the State Hospital in Carstairs on April 24 this year would be enough to chill the bones of those old enough to remember a notorious and murderous “jailbreak” back in 1976.

The latest incident was duly contained after police and ambulance roared to the scene, a forbidding secure hospital set on exposed moorland in South Lanarkshire.

But the alarm bells would have stirred unsettling memories for some and provide a reminder of the many horrific crimes committed by people deemed to be too mentally ill to be detained in a regular prison.

The State Hospital – generally referred to simply as “Carstairs” – has held an unsettling aura in Scotland’s consciousness in the 80 years since it was built.

Many of its patients have committed the most serious crimes. But it is not a prison.

And it is very different to a conventional hospital, charged with treating some patients whose crimes were beyond the imagination of others.

The hospital is surrounded by high fences and monitored constantly. A distinctive siren system—tested monthly—warns nearby communities in the event of an escape.

The building of Carstairs completed in 1939, just as the Second World War broke out. It was requisitioned as a military hospital.

It took 19 years for the facility to be used for its original purpose – treating “mental defectives”.

Its defining transformation came in 1957, when 90 prisoners deemed criminally insane were transferred from Perth Prison, creating a single high-security psychiatric institution serving Scotland.

From that point on, the State Hospital became the country’s only maximum-security psychiatric hospital—a role it still holds today.

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At its peak in the late 20th century, Carstairs held hundreds of patients. Parliamentary records show that in 1969 the hospital population stood at 367, gradually falling to around 268 by 1983.

By 1990 there were 163 patients who had committed offences, 59 mentally ill patients without criminal convictions and 44 with learning disabilities.

Today, the hospital has a capacity of roughly 140 patients, reflecting changes in psychiatric care and a move toward smaller, more specialised units. The average stay is around eight years, though some have been detained for decades. Most patients have suffered from schizophrenia.

Despite its clinical purpose, Carstairs’ reputation has been shaped by the crimes of some of its most notorious patients.

*The bloody escape and murders of Robert Mone and Thomas McCulloch.

In November 1976, two violent patients, Thomas McCulloch and Robert Mone, launched a violent escape attempt that shocked Britain and sealed Carstairs’ reputation as a place of potential terror.

Armed with axes, Mone, 27, and McCulloch, 26, murdered nurse Neil McLellan, 46, and another inmate, 40-year-old double murderer Iain Simpson.

Police officers George Taylor and John Gillies were also later attacked after the approached the killers beside a getaway car.

PC Gillies managed to escape and raise the alarm at a nearby house but PC Taylor died later in hospital.

The two escapees stole the police van, which they crashed 10 miles away near Biggar.

As a 19-year-old, monster Mone had held a girls’ needlework class at St John’s High School in Dundee, Scotland, hostage for 90 minutes. During the siege, he shot pregnant teacher Nanette Hanson to death, raped one schoolgirl, and sexually assaulted another.

*Alexander Millar: the Govan child murders

Another name associated with Carstairs is Alexander Millar, responsible for one of Scotland’s most disturbing crimes. In 1976, – the same year as the Mone and McCulloch breakout – Millar murdered two children—12-year-old Irene McMonigle and her 13-year-old brother, John, .during a botched robbery in Govan, Glasgow.

The little girl was also sexually assaulted.

Millar was held for 49 years in secure accommodation, including Carstairs, until July last year.

The killer was been deemed fit for release following a Mental Health tribunal in England.

Irene and John were discovered amid a scene of horror by their younger sister Liz and father John senior, who had left their Govan tenement for just a few minutes to take some belongings to a new house which they were moving into nearby.

His location has not been disclosed, although he is understood to be in the south of England.

*James Kennedy – a recent addition to Carstairs.

Kennedy, 37, struck up a relationship with Joanne Gallacher, 33, after the pair met during psychiatric treatment at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride.

He later inflicted 57 wounds on her during a frenzied attack at his home in Biggar, Lanarkshire, in December 2018.

A fatal accident inquiry heard Joanne should have been warned by medics about his risk of violence in the lead up to her death.

The 33-year-old mother had visited Kennedy just hours after he was released from hospital because she feared he was in a “bad place”.

Kennedy, who had previous psychiatric issues, pled guilty a reduced charge of culpable homicide.

Lord Mulholland imposed compulsion and restriction orders for Kennedy to remain at Carstairs.

He told Kennedy that he may never be released from the secure psychiatric facility.

*Kevin Marks – who laughed as he killed his ex-partner by setting her on fire.

Marks, 48, drove Ann Drummond to a remote location near Bathgate, West Lothian, on 25 June 2019.

He then set her alight before standing over her as she rolled around on the ground in a bid to put out the flames.

Marks was charged with murder but his not guilty plea was accepted on the basis of a mental disorder making him not criminally responsible.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how paramedics rushed to the scene after members of the public spotted the car on fire and took Ann to hospital, suffering burns to 80% of her body. The mother-of-four later died at Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary.

Induced coma

Marks was placed in a medically-induced coma after he was found to have burns on 50% of his body. He later recovered from his injuries.

In 2024, Sheriff Peter Hammond concluded that the horror could have been avoided if Police Scotland had shared relevant information relating to the killer’s mental state with her and NHS staff prior to the incident.

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City of York Council inspectors awarded the rating, which means ‘major improvement necessary’ to Mr Tea at 2 Coney Street following a visit on March 12.

The Food Standards Agency website says that for hygienic food handling, it was a matter of improvement necessary.

The cleanliness and the condition of the facilities and the building were rated generally satisfactory.

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But management of food safety was rated as ‘major improvement necessary’.

The visit follows City of York Council gaining a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order from York Magistrates’ Court in January, ordering the venue to close temporarily.

As The Press reported at the time, the order said that the court was satisfied that at the time of inspection on January 27, 2026 at 2.30pm at the premises there was “an immediate risk of injury to health, namely there was an active vermin infestation”.

The order further said the business could not operate until the council was “satisfied that the food business operators has taken sufficient measures to secure that there is no longer an imminent risk of injury to health in respect of the food business at this premises”.

As The Press also reported, Mr Tea also received a one-star rating for food hygiene following a visit by inspectors on November 7.

Mr Tea before opening time (Image: Darren Greenwood)

Mr Tea also has a sister venue in Albion Place, Leeds, and is owned by Bluesky Ltd of Leeds. The Leeds café has a five-star rating for food hygiene, meaning ‘very good.’

The York venue is very popular with diners praising its bubble teas and authentic Taiwanese street food.

Google awards 4.6 stars out of five, based on 45 reviews.

One recent review said: “I’m happy I happened to be right around the corner. The tea was delicious and the person taking my order was very kind and helpful.”

The Press has asked City of York Council for a copy of the inspector’s report under the Freedom of Information Act.

Mr Tea did not respond to requests from The Press for comment.

The Press will publish its response should we receive it, along with the results of any future inspection.

Arsenal have had an easier path to the final, beating Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting and Atletico, while PSG have overcome Monaco, Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern to reach the showpiece.

But you can only beat teams in front of you – and Arsenal did so impressively to top the 32-club league phase with eight wins from as many matches, including statement victories over Bayern, Atletico and last season’s finalists Inter Milan.

The 14-game unbeaten run they are on is their longest in the competition, overtaking a 13-match streak between March 2005 and April 2006, when under Arsene Wenger they reached the final only to lose to Barcelona.

But it is the newfound defensive maturity that separates the current crop from Arsenal teams of the past.

Onuoha said: “There are definitely reasons for Arsenal to be confident about the final, 100%.

“They know the style PSG have and that if you allow them to overwhelm you, you can really struggle. But Arsenal will have a plan. Obviously they have got the domestic season to figure out as well, but they will definitely have a plan for the Champions League final and they will know they can cause PSG problems as well as keep them out.”

“Arsenal have a chance without question – with that defence they have and the goalkeeper, they’re brilliant,” former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves told TNT Sports.

Former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard added: “I know more than anyone else that an underdog can win this final – when we won with Liverpool against AC Milan it was a mismatch.

“Arsenal will play against a high-quality team, against an elite manager. Every player will have to be on the top of their game. They have to use their physicality, size and take PSG where they don’t want go – but they certainly have a chance.”

Firefighters were called to Warburtons Bakery on Billington Road, Burnley, at 2.45pm on Monday, following reports of a blaze.

At the height of the incident, 12 fire engines, specialist units, police, ambulance, and on-site staff were in attendance.

As of this morning (May 6), one fire engine remains in attendance and crews are expected to remain on-site until later this evening, the LFRS has confirmed.

A spokesperson for the LFRS said: “Crews are still in attendance.

“Lancashire Police have confirmed that the fire is not thought to be suspicious.

“The cause of the fire remains under investigation although it is not believed to have been started deliberately.”

The fire service has thanked the public for observing cordons and also requested that the public refrain from flying drones nearby, as this could impact their own aerial operations.

Warburtons confirmed that everyone was safely evacuated from the building, but the exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damage remain unknown.

Burnley local and Bank of Dave star Dave Fishwick was in his helicopter close to the scene at the time of the incident.

Dave shared pictures and videos of the inferno.

Follow the Lancashire Telegraph for further updates about this incident.

Restaurant group San Carlo held a four-course charity Supper Club dinner at Fumo in Manchester in late April, with all profits supporting Maggie’s, the UK cancer support charity.

The evening, titled A Taste of Puglia, took place in Fumo’s upstairs dining space and featured a menu inspired by the rustic flavours of Italy’s southern region.

Guests enjoyed focaccia with tomatoes and olives, nodini with capocollo, orecchiette with cime di rapa served from a Parmesan wheel, and roasted lamb cutlets.

The meal concluded with a traditional pasticciotto pugliese.

Marcello Distefano, CEO of San Carlo Group, said: “Maggie’s is an incredibly important charity, and we are proud to support their work through events like our Supper Club at Fumo in Manchester.

“It’s a fantastic way to bring people together for an unforgettable evening while raising money for a vital cause.”

Each course was paired with wine, and guests were welcomed with a cocktail on arrival.

Tickets were £95 per person, with all profits donated to Maggie’s.

Maggie’s provides free, expert support to people living with cancer, as well as their families and friends.

The charity operates a network of centres beside NHS hospitals, offering a calm, non-clinical environment where visitors can access guidance on treatment and side effects, emotional support from trained staff, and the opportunity to connect with others facing similar experiences.

Maggie’s relies entirely on voluntary donations and fundraising events to deliver its services.

Funds raised will help Maggie’s continue its work, offering care and guidance to individuals and families.

For more information, please visit sancarlo.co.uk.

A dream job for anyone who wants to work in Scotland’s beautiful wilderness.

An “exceptional opportunity” to work in some of Scotland’s most beautiful surroundings has come up, with a nature reserve looking to hire a new team member. The role pays a salary of £30,076 and comes with a range of additional benefits, including more than 40 days of annual leave.

NatureScot is currently looking to employ a Nature Reserve Officer at the Argyll National Nature Reserves, covering Taynish, Moine Mhor, and Glasdrum Wood. The position will mostly be based around Taynish, which is a gorgeous 330-hectare ancient oak woodland that is home to species such as roe deer, red squirrels, and otters.

The Nature Reserve Officer is a practical role that will see the successful applicant spend a significant amount of time outdoors, including remote locations. Occasional evening and weekend working may be required, while the job will also involve some computer work.

Key responsibilities include leading and assisting with cattle handling and practical estate maintenance tasks, as well as buildings, equipment, vehicle, and facilities management and maintenance. Additionally, the Nature Reserve Officer will supervise groups of weekly and residential volunteers for practical tasks.

The successful candidate will also assist with the Taynish Art Trail that features outdoor artwork from local artists, as well as help out with events, guided walks, and environmental education activities. Other tasks include undertaking a programme of pathwork maintenance and repairs and assisting with priority bird, butterfly, and habitat monitoring.

NatureScot offers a wide range of benefits to employees, including a Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97 per cent, 41.5 days of annual leave, and two days paid volunteering leave. Other perks include an employee assistance programme, cycle to work and electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes, and learning and development tailored to the role.

In order to apply for the Nature Reserve Officer role, you should have experience of practical estate or nature reserve tasks and possess a good level of physical fitness. Woodland management experience is also important, as is the ability to work effectively as part of a team and the ability to communicate well with members of the public.

Other desirable attributes include experience working with groups of volunteers or leading teams in the outdoors, the ability to work safely and effectively in remote outdoor environments, and the ability to drive trailers and ATVs. Finally, NatureScot is seeking candidates who have a working knowledge of nature conservation issues.

Those applying for the role must be eligible to live and work in the UK, and must also be a resident of Scotland for the duration of the job contract. Candidates must also be willing to undertake a Disclosure Scotland application, while the ability to speak and understand Gaelic is desirable.

NatureScot wrote: “This is an exceptional opportunity to be part of a team managing the Argyll National Nature Reserves (NNRs) covering Taynish, Moine Mhor and Glasdrum Wood NNRs. NatureScot’s NNRs showcase the best of Scottish nature, landscapes and geology. Our NNRs aim to protect, restore and value nature.

“They are places for people to experience, enjoy and learn about wildlife. The role will mostly be based at Taynish, a 330ha ancient Oak woodland near Tayvallich.

“This role will be part of a small, friendly and enthusiastic team based around Lochgilphead who are committed to delivering landscape scale ecological restoration and a high quality visitor experience. The role is focussed on delivering tasks on the Nature Reserve to achieve the management set out in our management plan.”

The closing date for applications is midnight on May 10, with interviews taking place throughout the remainder of the month. More details can be found on the NatureScot website.

“In Belfast it feels like our response to blocked drains and gullies is haphazard and scattergun”

Belfast City Council is to look at a drainage pilot in the city based on a Dublin model to fight against the increasing threat of flooding.

At the May meeting of the full council at City Hall, the chamber agreed to a Green party proposal, seconded by Sinn Féin, looking at preparation for a pilot in Belfast, focusing on known flood-prone areas. A report will be returned to the council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

In March Belfast Council agreed to write to the Minister for Infrastructure at Stormont to seek clarification on winter preparedness in the city, specifically drainage and gully management, in light of the sustained and prolonged rainfall across Northern Ireland. The council also requested urgent clearance of all drains.

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Last October a number of roads across Belfast were made impassable by flash flooding following heavy rain. Key routes and shopping areas such as Lisburn Road, Boucher Road, Ormeau Road and Botanic Avenue were affected, with traffic coming to a standstill, and residents and businesses suffering for weeks afterwards. Widespread calls were made for the changes to be made to the city’s neglected drainage infrastructure.

The Minister responded, stating DfI had identified a number of problem drainage sites with external contractors, and added the department was working through a programme of remedial works to address the issues raised by the council. DfI said Belfast City Centre gullies would receive additional cleaning as part of the next drainage maintenance programme from April 2026.

At the council meeting this week, the chamber ratified a proposal forwarded by Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth noting the “Smart Gully” monitoring innovation project in Dublin. The chamber agreed that council officers would work with the Department for Infrastructure to “gather learning” from Dublin, with the intention of using the information to scope a pilot in Belfast.

The pilot will focus on known flood-prone areas in Belfast, with a view to “improving drainage response and reducing surface water flooding.” It will also potentially involve a council contract removing weeds in alleyways.

Councillor Smyth said at the meeting on Tuesday: “In Dublin they are using a smart drainage approach which uses low-cost sensors in gullies to monitor water levels in real time in flagged locations that are blocked or close to flooding. The system was developed through a Smart Dublin challenge with Dublin City Council and Enterprise Ireland, and it is designed to respond faster and target maintenance and resources where they are most needed.

“In Belfast it feels like our response to blocked drains and gullies is haphazard and scattergun. It is often either elected reps such as councillors being contacted, or people contacted the flooding hotline. We all know areas that are prone to flooding. I would highlight Rosetta Road and large parts of the Cregagh Estate in my District Electoral Area.”

He said: “How the (Dublin system) works in practice is the sensors send data to a dashboard, so that staff can see which gullies are clear, blocked or at risk. Dublin has deployed bespoke monitors and sensors in targeted areas, and the purpose is to use limited maintenance and resources more effectively while reducing surface water flooding and the disruption that comes with this in communities.

“In Belfast this shouldn’t be seen as a Tech project, it should be seen as a proper tool. A pilot I hope can focus on a small number of known flood hotspots, and DfI and Belfast City Council can agree thresholds for alert and response arrangements, and how that data would fit in with existing drainage maintenance systems.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

‘Enough’, which was founded in response to calls from survivors for more practical support, especially for those who do not feel able to report their assault to the police, held a pop-up event outside the University of Manchester on Tuesday (May 5).

Survivors, alongside members of the university’s men’s and women’s rugby teams, handed out self-testing DNA collection kits to students and offered information about options for those who do not feel able to report rape or sexual assault.

Katie White, co-founder of Enough, said: “Many survivors feel they only have two choices: report to the police or stay silent.

“For those who do not feel able to report, that can mean coping completely alone.

“Our aim is to provide another option.

“The kits allow people to take a step in their own time, while also connecting them with a community that understands what they are going through.”

The event was part of Enough’s UK tour, aimed at giving survivors more options and encouraging open conversations around sexual violence, particularly among young people, who are statistically at higher risk.

The kits are designed to give individuals more control over their next steps when reporting rape to the police.

The Manchester event also allowed students to speak with survivors, learn how the kits work, and find out more about available support.

James Whitlock, chairman of the men’s rugby union team at the University of Manchester for 2026-27, said: “Supporting each other goes way beyond the pitch.

“As one of the biggest male clubs at UoM, it’s vital we use our platform to drive actual change.

“We completely back the ‘enough.’ campaign and their push for radical prevention and getting these kits into students’ hands.”

A student survey conducted by Enough at a previous pop-up showed strong demand for alternative reporting options, with 64 per cent of respondents saying they would report to the organisation.

Of those, 90 per cent said they would later consider reporting to police.

Ms White said: “We want to change the way people think about reporting and prevention.

“This is about making sure no one feels they have to deal with this on their own.”

More information is available at myenough.com.