Daniel Daniels, 28, had been released on licence from HMP Berwyn in Wrexham part way through a three-year sentence he was given at Bolton Crown Court in May 2024.

According to the Prisons and Probation Service Ombudsman he died on Saturday January 10 this year.

Daniels had been jailed after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, obstructing the police, driving without a licence, driving without insurance and failure to stop when ordered by police.

He also confessed to failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Daniel Daniels was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Anthony Moss)

During the sentencing hearing back in May 2024 Tanya Elahi, defending, said: “Upon his release from prison he will be motivated to change his ways while he is still young.”

Ms Elahi told the court Daniels was “deeply ashamed and remorseful” and that start the police chase that led to his driving offences was a “stupid moment”.

Recorder Alexandra Simmonds had taken Daniels’s remorse and guilty plea into account but reminded him he had driven through a “populated area, with pedestrians and children”.

Daniels, formerly of Crummock Grove, Farnworth, was on licence at the time and at his last sentencing the court heard he had seven previous convictions for 17 offences.

In February 2022 he had been jailed for 19 months after admitting to assault, affray and possessing a knife after an assault on his ex-partner.

Explaining how it carries out investigations, a statement on the ombudsman’s website said: “After we have been told about a death in custody, we will put a named investigator in charge of the investigation.

“They will find out as much as possible about what happened to the person before their death.

“This includes looking at all the relevant records and policies, together with interviews with relevant staff and prisoners or residents if required. 

“NHS England will also commission an independent clinical review of the healthcare given to the person before their death.

“At the end of the investigation we’ll share what we have found with the family and related organisations.”

The Prison and Probation Service’s investigation is currently ongoing.

The United States‘ stand-off with Iran is feared to be close to breaking out into a full-scale war in the Middle East.

A military operation could last several weeks and have a powerful impact on the region, sources have told Axios. 

It comes as tensions continue to grow between the US and Iran, after the two countries held indirect nuclear talks in Geneva on Tuesday. 

Before the talks, Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One: “I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal.” 

A Trump adviser told Axios: “The boss is getting fed up. Some people around him warn him against going to war with Iran, but I think there is 90 per cent chance we see kinetic action in the next few weeks.” 

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The Trump administration threatened to take fresh military action against Iran in January over its nuclear programme and demanded that it make a deal with the US.

It followed Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June, in which the US bombed the country’s nuclear sites. 

Last month, President Trump said a “massive armada” was on the way and urged the regime to stop the killing of thousands of protesters.

Sources told Axios that a military operation would likely be much bigger than the US and Israel’s attack last year, and would have massive implications for the remainder of President Trump’s leadership. 

The US has built up a large military presence in the region, which includes two aircraft carriers, a dozen warships, hundreds of fighter jets and multiple air defence systems. 

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The large military build-up will likely mean the president won’t withdraw from the region until Iran makes major concessions on its nuclear programme.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, threatened to sink any American aircraft carriers sent to the Middle East.

Two Israeli officials said Israel’s government was preparing for a scenario of war within days, Axios said. However, US sources said the Trump administration may need longer.  

Officials told Reuters the US military was getting ready for weeks-long operations in case President Trump ordered an attack. 

US troops withdrew from bases in Syria last week, possibly indicating its military was gearing up to prepare for an Iranian response to an attack. 

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It comes as Mr Trump criticised Sir Keir Starmer for his Chagos Islands deal on Wednesday, saying that if Iran did not strike a deal with the US, it may need to use Diego Garcia island, where a US-UK military base sits. 

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi began negotiations on Tuesday in Geneva. 

Officials stated Iran would have to come back with a detailed proposal for the US in two weeks. 

Mr Araghchi said the two countries had reached an understanding on “guiding principles” and that a path to agreement had begun. 

But Ayatollah Khamenei later warned President Trump that “the strongest army in the world can sometimes be slapped so hard it cannot get up”, according to Iranian media.

Rebecca Layton, spokesperson for Hospitality Association York (HAY), said proposals for a visitor levy come as businesses face difficult trading conditions while trying to appeal to price-conscious consumers.

The spokesperson added if charges put potential visitors off it would mean fewer shifts and jobs in an industry which tends to employ people at the start of their careers.

It comes after Labour Mayor David Skaith said he was focussed on getting any potential future charges right after speaking with more than 100 York and North Yorkshire businesses.

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The mayor said the tourism industry was a local success story but it put pressure on services.

He added a visitor levy would drive investment into communities and bring in cash which could be used to support hospitality businesses.

Research from the York and North Yorkshire Policy Lab, which was set up by the combined authority and York St John University, found £2-a-night charges could raise £52 million-a-year.

The mayor’s talks with hospitality businesses comes as a national consultation into visitor levies, also dubbed tourist taxes, closed on Wednesday, February 18.

Further work is set to be done on how the charges would be implemented in York and North Yorkshire, including whether to exempt residents from them.

Labour York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith talking to Harrogate businesses about his plans for a visitor levy. Picture is from York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

York Council’s Labour administration has been among those calling for local authorities to get powers to levy the charges, saying it could help fund services including for tourists and businesses.

But York hotels and the HAY industry body have said extra fees could put visitors off and warned of the knock-on effects on the wider local economy.

HAY spokesperson Ms Layton said hotels already supported local areas with jobs and investment and it was unknown how taking profits away from them would help the region.

She added although they were told up to a quarter of funds raised could be spent on benefits for hospitality and tourism, the rest could be lost plugging budget gaps.

The spokesperson said: “Hoteliers remain deeply concerned about the impact of further costs, tourism tax supporters often cite that similar tourism levies are commonplace in other overseas destinations, however this does not consider the fact those countries pay an average of 10 per cent VAT on hospitality, compared to 20 per cent in the UK.

“Furthermore, data highlights that of the 32 million tourists to York and North Yorkshire, only 6.1 million stay overnight, meaning less than 20 per cent of tourists are to be targeted for this tourist tax.

“This means 80 per cent of tourists will not be paying this tax back into the local economy, and further emphasises hospitality is being unfairly penalised.

“Whilst the City of York Council may have been able to garner some support from York’s residents, the campaign for a tourism levy has little to no support in North Yorkshire, who overwhelmingly feel that the idea of doing anything to deter tourism is outrageous.

“This tax will also be a further cost for businesses, the wider events sector will also be affected.”

Mr Skaith said he would make sure he prioritised the places and services that feel the most pressure without costing residents if the charges are brought in.

The mayor said: “A visitor levy could be a total game changer for our region, it’s an opportunity to drive investment into our communities, and back businesses in our tourism and hospitality sectors with the support we all know we need, but nobody has the money for right now.

“We must get this right for our region and that’s what I’m focussed on as we go through this process.”

Jake Joe Bamber, 35, also denied causing actual bodily harm to the same woman on a different occasion.

Bamber, of no fixed address, was making his first appearance before a crown court judge at Leeds Crown Court.

He was arrested in January this year in York.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Guy Kearl KC adjourned his case until April 8, and Bamber was remanded in custody until then. A trial date has yet to be set.

The non-fatal suffocation is alleged to have occurred between June 1, 2025, and September 30, 2025, and the incident that allegedly resulted in actual bodily harm on November 25 last year.

Joshua Cooper, 25, died from cocaine-related complications after being handcuffed by police

A young dad died shortly after being handcuffed by police during a “street disturbance” in North Staffordshire, an inquest has heard.

Joshua Cooper, 25, from Biddulph, was reportedly under the influence of cocaine when he began acting erratically on Lawton Street before wandering into the home of an elderly woman on nearby Kingswood Road on the evening of March 26 last year.

Officers arriving at the scene found Joshua “under a pile of bricks” and resisting arrest, growling as he struggled. Witnesses said he fell to his knees in a praying position and collapsed minutes later, reports StokeonTrentLive.

PC Lawton, one of the responding officers, told the inquest: “I tried to assist him to his feet holding his right arm, but he was very heavy. He fell to his knees and began throwing his upper body back and forth. I placed him into handcuffs using minimal force to prevent him from harming himself, others, or my colleagues.”

Emergency services were called immediately, and handcuffs were removed when Joshua was reported to be turning blue so CPR could be administered.

An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct concluded the officers acted appropriately and in line with policy.

Joshua’s partner revealed he had been struggling with a long-term cocaine addiction, which had worsened in the months before his death. She said he had been aggressive and erratic on the night of the incident.

Forensic pathologist Dr Brett Lockyer confirmed that Joshua died from cocaine intoxication and coronary artery disease, with underlying heart issues likely linked to his substance use.

Coroner Emma Serrano ruled Joshua’s death as drug-related, offering her condolences to the family. She said: “It’s quite clear to me that Josh suffered with an addiction. During his encounter with officers, he entered cardiac arrest. If he had not taken cocaine that night, he would not have passed away.”

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The star’s sibling, with whom she shares a podcast, shared a telling video on Instagram tonight.

Katie Price‘s sister Sophie has shared a video in the wake of her famous sibling’s announcement that she intends to have a baby with her fourth husband Lee Andrews. It comes in the wake of a whirlwind engagement and marriage with the Dubai businessman which has seen her fly out of the UK to be with him.

She shared a clip of Dr Gabor Maté talking about the various approaches that families can make in difficult times and concludes with him explaining the second, saying: “I’m not going to try and change you. I just hope you come to your senses at some point. But I’ll be with you and I’ll be supporting you.”

It comes after Katie posted a message to Lee’s ex Alana Percival where she said: “Please just enjoy watching us build our empire as I’m having his child, I’ll enjoy the ride and big d*** energy now I’m in the saddle.” Alana responded by resharing one of her earlier posts that read: “Catching flights not fiances.”

The Dr Gabor video shared by Sophie tonight showed him speaking in a black and white clip. He explained: “So there’s two major things I say to families. One is: you have a decision to make. There’s two rational choices and one irrational one. The rational choices: number one, what you’re doing causes me so much pain and so much stress I can’t be with it.

“I love you very much but this is too hard one me and I’m not willing to expend my energies trying to self care for all the stress that’s been caused from you by your behaviour so I can’t be with you. That’s a perfectly rational choice.

“Or you can say: I love you very much and I understand that what you are doing, whatever it is, comes out of your pain. This is the only way so far you’ve found to deal with your pain so I’m not going to judge you, I’m not going to control you.

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“I’m not going to try and change you. I just hope you come to your senses at some point. But I’ll be with you and I’ll be supporting you.”

Sophie, who hosts The Katie Price Show podcast with her sister, has not weighed in publicly on the latest drama around her sister, who had a whirlwind engagement and marriage to Lee.

However, she has hinted at being tired out by it all, appearing in a video posted on Instagram in the wake of the ‘quickie’ wedding. She said: “Hello, how are we all?” She sighed, leaned in to the camera and added: “Oh it has been a long old week. Yeah, it’s been a very long week, very tired. Looking forward to the weekend.”

In a heartwarming video posted to social media, Joel shared that his son spilled the beans on Ben Shephard’s secret Masked Singer identity

This year’s series of The Masked Singer has featured some pretty impressive names including The One Show’s Alex Jones, JLS’ Marvin Humes, Harry Hill and Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan who won the series as Moth. The appeal of the show lies with the fact that nobody knows who is under the mask, however it appears that one of this year’s contestants slipped up and shared their identity.

It appears that This Morning’s Ben Shephard, who finished in second place, told one individual that he was Conkers. The presenter shared his secret with the son of The Masked Singer’s host Joel Dommett.

In a heartwarming video posted to social media, Joel shared that his son spilled the beans on Ben’s secret identity.

He captioned the video: “Don’t tell a 2 year old secrets.”For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter

In the short clip you can hear Joel’s son say: “Ben Shephard is conker.”

Joel laughed and replied: “Don’t tell anybody else ok.”

Ben jokingly responded in the comments: “I told him in secret I promise.”

Masked Singer judge Davina McCall added: “This is quite simply the cutest thing I have ever seen.”

After the final had aired, Joel posted some pictures with the This Morning presenter, saying: “Before vs after…

“What a final!!! My pal @benshephardofficial JUST missed out on the win but tbf absolutely nobody thought he would get passed episode 2.

“Rightfully won by the incredible @keishabuchanan.”

You can catch up on The Masked Singer on ITV X.

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Puppet comedy No Strings Attached has reportedly been axed after one series was broadcast

A Channel 4 comedy branded “profoundly silly” has reportedly been axed following just one series.

No Strings Attached – presented by former Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc – featured celebrity guests reading out risqué fan fiction whilst puppets performed the scenes. The programme broadcast its debut series last year but struggled to impress some critics, with the Irish Independent describing it as “shockingly bad” in its review.

TVZone has now reported that the show is understood not to be returning for a second series on Channel 4.

The programme was initially announced in 2022 under the working title The Really Rude Puppet Show. Following delays, it eventually premiered on E4 in 2025, rebranded as No Strings Attached.

The format, which featured stars such as Kerry Katona and Sam Thompson, involved famous faces narrating saucy tales about their fictional romantic encounters, whilst puppets performed elements of the scenarios being recounted, reports the Mirror.

READ MORE: Mel Giedroyc on missing pal Sue Perkins when filming new Channel 4 showREAD MORE: Bake Off star to host new ITV game show after exit

Fans had a mixed response, with some viewers taking to X (formerly Twitter) to praise it as “good fun”, “very funny” and “hilarious”. One viewer said the puppets “had me in stitches” whilst another declared: “I LOVED IT.”

Others were less enthusiastic, however, with one audience member branding it “a disappointment”. Another remarked that it was “as unfunny as it is redundant”.

Critics were similarly harsh, with the Irish Independent’s piece stating: “Channel 4’s celebrity puppet sex show isn’t shocking – it’s just shockingly bad.”

The Guardian awarded it a mere two out of five stars, albeit acknowledging that “the presence of Giedroyc makes any kind of chat/quiz/contest caper watchable”.

“To demonstrate this beyond dispute, E4 has come up with No Strings Attached, a profoundly silly piece of flim-flam that is objectively awful, and with any other presenter would be unbearable,” stated the review.

Channel 4 has been approached for comment.

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No Strings Attached can be streamed on Channel 4.

More than 550 commercial driving schools in the U.S. that train truckers and bus drivers must close after investigators found they employed unqualified instructors, failed to adequately test students and had other safety issues, the federal Transportation Department announced Wednesday.

The move marks the Transportation Department’s latest effort to improve safety in the trucking industry. And unlike its previous actions last fall to decertify up to 7,500 schools that included many defunct operations, this latest step is focused on what it deemed were active schools with significant shortcomings that inspectors identified in 1,426 site visits.

The department has been aggressively going after states that handed out commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants who shouldn’t have qualified for them ever since a fatal crash in August. A truck driver that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says was not authorized to be in the U.S. made an illegal U-turn and caused a crash in Florida that killed three people. Other fatal crashes since then, including one in Indiana earlier this month that killed four, have only added to the concerns.

Duffy said 448 schools that failed to meet basic safety standards. Inspectors found shortcomings such as employing unqualified instructors, failing to test students’ skills or teach them how to handle hazardous materials and using the wrong equipment to teach drivers. Another 109 schools removed themselves from the registry of schools when they learned that inspectors were planning to visit.

“American families should have confidence that our school bus and truck drivers are following every letter of the law and that starts with receiving proper training before getting behind the wheel,” Duffy said.

The list of schools that officials want to decertify now are generally smaller ones, including a number of programs run by school districts. Five of the bigger, more reputable schools represented by the national Commercial Vehicle Training Association were audited but those all passed.

Jeffery Burkhardt, who is chair of the national trucking schools group, said established schools welcome the new enforcement effort to eliminate bad schools that aren’t meeting the standards. He said these audits mark the first time regulators have enforced the standards for driving schools that were passed in 2022.

“There’s no reason to believe that they’re not going to keep on moving on it, which is good. You know, the good players have no problem with it. Absolutely none,” said Burkhardt, who is also is senior director of operations at Ancora, which provides CDL training at colleges, community colleges and companies. Another 97 schools are currently under investigation for compliance issues.

Part of the problem in the trucking industry is that schools and trucking companies can essentially self certify themselves when they apply to begin operating, observers note, and questionable operations might not be caught until much later when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration gets a chance to audit them.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many students were enrolled at these schools that are being decertified or how many graduated with questionable qualifications. A Transportation Department spokeswoman said officials may follow up on those graduates later. Burkhardt said that hopefully most of the unqualified drivers were weeded out before they got on the highway by the skills tests states administer before handing out commercial licenses.

But there is some cushion in the industry right now because there are currently more drivers than needed in the midst of a 10% drop in shipments since 2022 because of the economic uncertainty. Although many trucking companies still struggle to find enough well-qualified drivers with clean records.

In addition to threatening to withhold federal funding from states that don’t clean up their commercial driver’s license programs, the Trump Administration has been focused on making sure truck drivers meet English proficiency standards. California is the only state to lose funding so far with the federal government planning to withhold $160 million.