Rebecca Ableman, 30, was walking her two-year-old daughter in a pram when she was struck by a crane, and suffered ‘catastrophic brain and head injuries’

A lorry driver has been jailed after killing a woman in an incident which a court said could have been avoided with “common sense”. Rebecca Ableman, 30, tragically died on October 16, after she was struck in the head by a crane on September 22, 2022, while walking her two-year-old daughter, Autumn, in pram in Willingham.

Kevin Miller, 71, was sentenced to 13 months in prison after appearing at Peterborough Crown Court today (Tuesday, April 14). Miller, of Gayton Road, King’s Lynn, had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in February of this year.

Miller, then 67, was driving his vehicle down the B1050 towards Willingham on September 22. Rebecca, who had been out shopping at a local farm shop, was struck in the head by the unsecured boom of the crane, and died of “catastrophic brain and head injuries” three weeks later. The court heard that Miller had left King’s Lynn docks in Norfolk at around 3.40am on September 22, and travelled to a Network Rail yard in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

Prosecutor William Carter said he had collected “18 tonnes of scrap metal in the form of disused railway track”. While travelling down the B1050 towards Willingham on his way back to King’s Lynn, the “grabber then struck” Rebecca from behind. Mr Carter said the speed limit for the road was 30mph, and Miller’s tachograph indicated he had been travelling at about that speed.

The court heard that Miller was “unaware” of what had happened. He had stopped at a roadside a little while later and used the crane controls to move the crane back to the centre of the lorry. He only found out what had happened when police told him when he arrived back to King’s Lynn docks later that day just before 2pm.

The court heard from prosecutor William Carter that the crane grabber was strapped down “inadequately” to the vehicle. The loaded equipment on the vehicle was strapped down, but the crane was not, the court was told.

Miller told police that he had “never been told that the crane should be strapped down separately”. However, Mr Carter said it should have been “obvious” to Miller and that “common sense” should have shown that the crane was not properly secured.

The prosecution also spoke of a 2022 campaign, led by Allmi (Association of Lorry Loader Manufacturers and Importers). This campaign reiterated the importance of drivers securing a crane load to prevent “injury or fatality”.

Before mitigation, defence John Dye said this was an “inflammable tragedy” and that it was “hard to think of a more emotive case”. The court heard that since the trial, Miller had suffered with his physical and mental health, with Mr Dye describing him as a now “broken man”.

Mr Dye told the court Miller had lost “three stone in a matter of six weeks”, and that he was a “man who was devastated at the harm he caused”. Miller had also sought counselling following the incident, and that he showed “genuine remorse” to Rebecca’s family.

Mr Dye asked the judge to consider a suspended sentence for Miller. However, in sentencing, Judge Matthew Lowe said this was a “tragedy that could have easily been avoided”.

The judge added: “To have secured the crane unit would have been the work of moments.”

He considered that Miller had no previous convictions, and that he was “well liked” amongst his colleagues. Considering factors for a suspended sentence, the judge said it was a “rare case” that due to the “seriousness”, these would be “overturned”.

As well as his 13-month prison sentence, of which he will serve no more than half before being released, Miller received a two-year driving disqualification, with an extension of six and a half months, to cover his time in prison.

Speaking outside court, DC Craig Wheeler of Cambridgeshire Police shared his condolences to Rebecca’s family following the sentence. He said that he wanted the case to be a “stark reminder” to everyone working in the industry that the safety of their vehicles is “absolutely paramount”.

He added: “It’s really important. As Chris said, a £10 strap could have prevented this tragedy from happening.

“This is why as police we do our spot checks. We stop vehicles. It’s not to be a hindrances, it’s trying to stop these preventable tragedies from happening. I just want people to take away from this that this can be avoided.”

Pope Leo XIV has taken to social media to slam “wicked” and “arrogant” figures amid his ongoing feud with US President Donald Trump, who branded the pontiff “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy”

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Pope Leo XIV has lashed out at “wicked” and “arrogant” individuals amid his continuing clash with US President Donald Trump.

Writing on X, the pontiff declared: “God’s heart is torn apart by wars, violence, injustice and lies. But our Father’s heart is not with the wicked, the arrogant, or the proud.

“God’s heart is with the little ones and the humble, and with them He builds up His Kingdom of love and peace day by day. Wherever there is love and service, God is there.”

Plenty of people read this as a dig at US President Trump, reports the Express.

One user responded: “‘But our Father’s heart is not with the wicked, the arrogant, or the proud’… No names needed. we all know who they are. Pope Leo won’t be silenced by Trump.”

Someone else commented: “Trump has Pope Derangement syndrome. Please continue!”

Earlier in the week, Trump labelled Pope Leo “weak on crime” and ” terrible for Foreign Policy.”

He stated: “Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.”

The pontiff hit back, saying: “I’m not afraid of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the church is here to do.”

The US President also drew criticism after sharing an image of himself portrayed as Jesus Christ, which he subsequently removed.

Trump insisted he’d uploaded the image himself under the impression it showed him as a doctor.

At the Vatican, supporters rallied behind Leo while he’s currently on a 10-day visit to Africa. “It’s just ridiculous, because if the pope is not speaking about peace, and is not taking care of every person in the world, he’s not the pope,” said Joerg Soler, who was visiting the Vatican from Switzerland.

“It’s completely inappropriate,” said Mariella Acciaioli, a French tourist. “Things are getting too much. We need to mobilize everyone, especially our leaders, to deal with this behavior that is going beyond every limit.”

The dogs owned by Michelle Jones were roaming free and unmuzzled and left their victim with serious injuries and threatened his terrified family

A man was left seriously injured after his neighbour’s XL bully dogs attacked him outside his home. They were roaming the street unmuzzled when they attacked the nurse, who was returning from work at the time.

The dog’s owner, Michelle Jones, 51, was intoxicated and did not try to intervene. Ganesh Rajappan’s wife opened the front door in the hope he could shelter inside, but the dogs pushed into the property continuing the attack, and also threatening their 14-year-old son.

Prosecutor David Mainstone told Mold Crown Court how, on August 29, 2025, Mr Rajappan heard barking as he approached the front gate to his house.

One of the dogs then bit his leg, and as he hit the dog to get it off him, a second XL bully launched a relentless attack, causing him significant injuries.

The incident was captured on CCTV. It resulted in Mr Rajappan suffering a number of wounds across his body. He was taken to A&E with lacerations to his face, arms, legs and stomach. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here

The damage to his lip was so severe he lost tissue and had to have it reconstructed.

In February, 2024, it became a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in England and Wales without a Certificate of Exemption. Those with an exemption must comply with strict rules: the dog must be neutered, microchipped, kept on a lead/muzzled in public, and insured. It is illegal to sell, breed, or abandon these dogs.

The two dogs, named Jersey and Cash, had exemption certificates. However they were unmuzzled, off the lead and one dog had not been neutered.

Mr Rajappan described in a victim personal statement read to the court, how his life had changed “significantly” as a result of the attack. Not only does he live with the physical scars of the attack, but the emotional impact on him and his family had been profound. he said.

He said: “I was attacked by two XL bulldogs outside my home. The dogs followed me and managed to enter my house. They bit my face, arms, legs, abdomen, and other areas of my body.

“I was taken to the accident and emergency department, where I received treatment for numerous lacerations, puncture wounds and scratches. I was administered antibiotics, pain relief, a tetanus booster and was referred for specialist facial care injuries.

“The treatment was extensive and extremely painful. I’m still recovering physically. Even now I continue to experience a lot of pain from the wounds which affect my daily activities.

“Psychologically, this incident has been far more difficult to cope with. Since the attack, I’ve been struggling with fear, anxiety and a constant sense of insecurity. I find it very hard to leave my house, especially alone, as I’m scared of dogs, or being attacked again.

“Normal activities such as walking to my car, or stepping outside, now cause me significant distress.

“I feel constantly on edge. It has affected my ability to concentrate at work, although I had to return to work because I cannot afford to lose my income.

“My wife and children are also deeply affected. My children were home when the attack happened… they are frightened whenever they hear dogs barking and they worry about my safety.

“I took the full force of the attack to protect my family.”

Mr Rajappan and his family were not the only neighbours affected by Jones’ behaviour in the summer of 2025.

Around two months prior to the dog attack, the court heard how Jones attended her neighbour Jodie Lloyd’s address armed with a knife and a gun after they had engaged in a verbal dispute in the street.

On May 17, at around 7.30pm, an argument between the two women turned physical. It was broken up and both parties went home.

Before Jones left, she threatened Ms Lloyd by saying “that is not going to end there”.

Around two hours later, when Ms Lloyd was in the bath, she was alerted to a woman stood at the end of her garden. Jones had broken into her address and was armed with a knife and a BB gun.

Ms Lloyd described feeling terrified, as her children were asleep downstairs. She called the police and Jones was arrested around one hour later. Police found the BB gun hidden in one of her kitchen drawers.

Jones, of Montrose Gardens, Wrexham, admitted possession of a bladed article in a public place, possession of an imitation firearm, and two counts of being the owner of dogs dangerously out of control causing injury.

Upon sentencing, Judge Nicola Jones said: “The weapon is referred to as an imitation firearm. Well she wasn’t to know that that was an imitation and she was quite terrified.

“She had children in the house. She called the police immediately. You were shouting aggressively at her at this time.

“CCTV recorded not just the BB gun, but also a knife which you were holding. You described that as a cake cutter. It is an item with a bladed element and therefore it’s a knife for these purposes.”

Of the dog attack, the judge said: “Mr Rajappan has suffered considerable psychological stress and distress as a result of the attack. He has described this attack as having a profound and lasting impact on every part of his life. It has also affected his wife and his children.

“At the time, you made no apology. Eventually you got the dogs out of his home address. You, in an interview, claimed the dogs were in your garden, with the gates bolted shut, but there was CCTV showing your dogs were roaming the street, and at the time you were intoxicated.”

When passing sentence, defence barrister Philip Tully asked Judge Jones to consider the following mitigating factors: Jones’ early guilty pleas, her genuine remorse, that she had no relevant previous convictions, struggled with her mental health, and that there had been no offending since the incident in August, 2025.

Judge Jones also considered how Jones was a full-time carer for her 20-year-old son who had a significant brain injury.

Michelle Jones was sentenced to 12 months for the possession of a bladed article and 12 months for possession of an imitation firearm, both concurrent then 16 months consecutive for the dogs offence, making a total of 28 months imprisonment. She will serve no more than half this sentence before being released on licence.

Judge Jones said the offences were so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate.

Jones was banned from ever owning a dog again in her lifetime, and an order was made for her two XL bully dogs to be destroyed.

The Three Legged Mare in High Petergate has been named as the Cider Pub of the Year for 2026 by York Camra.

It replaces last year’s winner, the Slip Inn in Clementhorpe, but the Three Legged Mare was also the 2024 Cider Pub of the Year winner.

Manager Bradley Websdell said: “I am immensely proud of what we have achieved, for the hard work that the team has done, putting the ciders out there and really pushing them and getting to know the ciders so people know what they are getting.”

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Three Legged Mare in York up for Press Best Pub 2024

Bradley continued: “We have a variety of different ciders throughout the year. At the moment we have nine different box ciders, all different flavours and different styles. We have two on draught- Black Sheep Ciders- as well as Black sheep Ales. Something for everybody.”

The Three Legged Mare, affectionately known as ‘the wonky donkey’, continues to be owned by the Masham-based brewery, which has undergoing two Administrations and changes of ownership in recent years.

The pub also offers entertainment every evening, including live music, open mic nights and pub quizzes.

Bradley Websdell and Chris Tregellis outside the Three Legged Mare (Image: Pic supplied)

Bradley added: “Thank You to everyone who comes in and continuing to believe in us.

“Look out for what we have planned for the future. We have some exciting things planned but we cannot say what it is as it is still with head office.”  

Chris Tregellis, chairman of the 1,100-member York branch said: “Bradley Websdell at the Three Legged Mare keeps an excellent range of real ciders and this hasn’t gone unnoticed by York CAMRA. This is why it’s our Cider Pub of the Year. 

“Bradley will be there on the evening of Friday 24 July to make sure that there is plenty of cider ( and cask ale too) on offer.

“July is CAMRA’s Cider Month so with expected warm summer evenings there is no better time to branch out to cider drinking unless you are already a cider fan.

“A well-deserved award for a pub which really tries hard. Well done!”

As previously reported, York Camra has awarded the Last Drop Inn at Colliergate, York, as the City Pub of the year for 2026.

The White Bear Inn at Stillington is Town and Country Pub for 2026.

The Club of the Year will be announced shortly.

On the border between Lebanon and Israel lies Metula – Israel’s northernmost town.

Surrounded on three sides by Lebanon, Metula is one of the first in the firing line when rockets are fired by Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed political and military group.

Israeli authorities say 12 soldiers and two civilians have been killed by Hezbollah rockets over the past six weeks as the conflict continues.

In Lebanon, more than 2,000 people have been killed in Israeli strikes, local authorities say, since fighting renewed on 2 March after a Hezbollah attack on Israel.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge must end his “intrusive” contempt investigation of the Trump administration for failing to comply with an order turn around planes carrying Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador last year, a divided appeals court panel ruled Tuesday.

Chief Judge James Boasberg abused his discretion in forging ahead with criminal contempt proceedings over the March 2025 deportation flights, according to the majority opinion by a three-judge panel from U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

President Donald Trump’s administration has a “clear and indisputable” right to the termination of the contempt proceedings, Circuit Judge Neomi Rao wrote in the court’s majority opinion.

“The legal error at the heart of these criminal contempt proceedings demonstrates why further investigation by the district court is an abuse of discretion,” Rao wrote. “Criminal contempt is available only for the violation of an order that is clear and specific. (Boasberg’s March 2025 order) did not clearly and specifically bar the government from transferring plaintiffs into Salvadoran custody.”

Rao was nominated by Trump, a Republican. Boasberg, chief judge of the district court in Washington, D.C., was nominated by Democratic President Barack Obama.

On March 15, 2025, two planes transporting Venezuelan migrants from the U.S. to El Salvador were in the air when Boasberg ordered the administration to turn them around.

Administration officials claim Boasberg is biased and overstepped his authority.

Boasberg has said the Trump administration may have acted in bad faith by trying to rush Venezuelan migrants out of the country in defiance of his order blocking their deportations to El Salvador. In an April 16, 2025 order, the judge said he gave the administration “ample opportunity to rectify or explain their actions” but concluded that “none of their responses has been satisfactory.”

Trump has called for impeaching Boasberg. Last year, the Justice Department filed a misconduct complaint accusing Boasberg of making improper public comments about Trump and his administration. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts publicly rejected calls for Boasberg’s impeachment.

The case is assigned to Rao and Circuit Judges Justin Walker and J. Michelle Childs. Walker, also a Trump nominee, wrote a separate opinion concurring with Roa’s. Childs, who was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden, dissented from the majority.

“This dress ticks all the boxes. Fabulous cut, lovely material , very flattering and looks so much more expensive than it is”

If you have an occasion coming up and are in need of some wedding guest dress ideas, the Nobody’s Child Layla midi dress is a good option to consider.

The midi dress is a ruffle sleeve, V-neck dress with a relaxed skirt that is available in eight different colours with discounts from 10% to 30% reduced from the original price of £89 on certain colours.

The pricing of the discounted colours in the Layla Midi Dress include:

• Black Floral- was £89 now £62.30
• Burgundy – was £89 now £80.10
• Pink – was £89 now £71.20
• Blue – was £89 now £71.20

The midi dress also comes in a green, blue floral, electric blue and dark pink which are all full price at £89. It is a machine washable dress made from 76% Lenzing™ Ecovero™ Viscose and 24% Nylon.

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Another wedding guest dress option to consider is the Floral Satin Ruched Short Sleeve Midi Dress available for £55 at Next.

Alternatively, Abstract Printed Gathered Wrap Dress is a popular dress from Roman, priced at £60 and comes in size 10 to size 20.

Reviews on the Layla midi dress from nobody’s child praise the dress as being an ideal option for weddings and special occasions.

One shopper, reviewing the black floral version said: “This is a lovely dress, fits really well and is very flattering. I wore to a wedding, it was very comfortable too and received many compliments on it!”

Another said: “This dress ticks all the boxes. Fabulous cut, lovely material , very flattering and looks so much more expensive than it is “

Under the electric blue version, one shopper said: “A beautifully cut dress that manages to skim my curves. The fabric hangs well and the colour is gorgeous too.”

However, a reviewer said: “Love my dress. Bought to wear to a wedding. My only grumble would be that the neckline is very low.”

Regardless, another reviewer of the burgundy layla dress said: ” I love the shape and colour. I bought it to wear at Christmas maybe for a party or a lunch. It will be perfect for any occasion. It is made well and a lovely flowing material.”

Robert Beeson told the victim to stay in the house until her injuries had healed

A man has been jailed after hitting a woman’s head with such force that her front teeth fell out. Robert Beeson, 44, of Park Crescent, Waterbech, had known the woman for around two years and rented a room to her in September 2025.

The pair developed an intimate relationship in the first few weeks but Beeson became violent on October 6, after the victim relayed a joke a friend had made about him, which cause him to go into her room in a rage and attack her. Beeson was later described by the victim as controlling and jealous.

During the attack, Beeson grabbed her by the arms and threw her across the room where she hit her head. The victim tried to flee to another property but Beeson punched her in the ear.

The next day, the victim returned to collet her belongings and find Beeson’s keys that he accused her of losing. While she was searching for the keys, Beeson struck her to the face with his knee causing the victim to lose consciousness. The victim woke up to a pool of blood and realised her front teeth were missing. She saw Beeson cleaning bloodstains from the sofa.

Beeson locked the victim in the property and told her she couldn’t leave until her injuries had healed. A friend of the victim saw Beeson in a shop in Waterbeach on October 7 and asked where the victim was, as they were concerned she hadn’t heard from her.

Beeson said she was asleep but the friend followed him home and found the victim on the sofa with a duvet pulled over her head to hide her injuries. Beeson said he was innocent and asked the victim not to call the police. The friend managed to get the victim out of the house and a relative took her to hospital. The friend later called the police.

Initially, hospital staff could not assess the full extent of her injuries because of the severe swelling. Later, she was diagnosed with five missing teeth, multiple facial fractures and extensive bruising to her face.

Beeson handed himself in to Parkside Police Station, Cambridge, later that day. On Wednesday, April 8, at Peterborough Crown Court, he was sentenced to three years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent and assault by beating and was given a ten-year restraining order.

DC Sarah Black, who investigated, said: “This was a brutal assault carried out behind closed doors by a man the victim trusted. Beeson used violence, intimidation and control to isolate the victim and prevent her from seeking help, leaving her with serious injuries.

“I would like to commend the victim for the courage she has shown throughout the investigation, and also her friend, whose actions ensured she was able to escape and receive urgent medical care.

“Domestic abuse can take many forms and often escalates quickly. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or controlling behaviour, please know that support is available and that we will always take reports seriously.”

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Members of North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee today (Tuesday. April 14) approved a proposal to build a 19MW solar development on fields near East Cowton, between Northallerton and Darlington.

The development, which includes inverters, transformers, two substations, a control room, a connection to the grid, a deer-proof fence, and CCTV cameras, will be built on 38 hectares of agricultural land.

The meeting heard that ten local residents had submitted objections, with East Cowton Parish Council also opposed to the scheme.

Councillor Elaine Simpson, from the parish council, spoke at the meeting, telling councillors that more work needed to be done to mitigate the impact of the scheme, particularly on endangered and protected species.

The councillor added: “This proposed solar site will sit in the open and green countryside surrounding our village, falling within a valuable green corridor.

“Any development should improve the character of an area and safeguard or improve it. Simply offering screening will not address its impact.

“The developers have not demonstrated very special circumstances in choosing this location.”

An application for a 28MW solar farm to the east of the village was submitted last year, while plans for another solar scheme to the north of the village were approved in 2015.

A statement by Councillor Annabell Wilkinson, division member for the area, was read out at the meeting supporting the parish council’s stance.

She said: “East Cowton has seen a high number of solar planning approvals in recent years.

“The village could become surrounded by solar farms, both historical and those presently under consideration.”

Despite the concerns, members of the committee voted unanimously to approve the application.

Committee member Councillor Caroline Goodrick said there were no reasons not to support the scheme.

However, she added: “I would like to see solar panels off the ground on roofs, on industrial buildings, on schools, on hospitals, wherever we can put them, where we are not affecting our agricultural land, which we need for our food insecurity.

“I am supportive of this, but I think we can do it better.”

The parish council suggested that a bond be taken from the applicant to cover the cost of restoring the site after 40 years, in case the company ceased to exist when it was time to decommission the scheme.

The meeting heard this was not council policy, although it would be raised with officers preparing the new North Yorkshire Local Plan.

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