One man is due in court on Monday while another man and woman have been arrested

A man has been charged a man to court and two further arrests made after a PSNI officer was seriously injured after being hit with a stolen police car.

A shot was fired at the car in the incident that occurred on Sunday morning, May 31, in Downpatrick. Police have opened an attempted murder investigation, saying the act had the potential to cause “fatal injuries”.

Before 5am on Sunday, a vehicle failed to stop for police in the Fountain Street area and was later located in the Ballymote Walk area.

A man was then seen running from the vehicle and a foot pursuit ensued towards the Colmcille Road.

In an update on Monday morning, detectives investigating the incident said they have charged a man to court and made two further arrests. The man, aged 27, has been charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle with no insurance.

He is due to appear before Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court today, Monday 1st June. He has been bailed to allow for further enquiries in respect of driving whilst unfit, and aggravated vehicle taking causing injury and released unconditionally in respect of attempted murder and a number of driving-related offences.

As is usual procedure, the charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

Meanwhile, a man aged 36 has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and aggravated vehicle taking causing injury. A woman aged 27 has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

Both remain in custody at this time while enquiries continue.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said on Sunday: “As officers returned to their police car, someone was in the driver’s seat – driving erratically and directly towards an officer. The officer discharged one round from his firearm.

“The officer was struck by the vehicle – causing serious injuries. The vehicle was subsequently abandoned a short time later. The suspect made off from the scene.

“Urgent medical treatment was provided at the scene by police colleagues, who were also supported by members of the local community.

“The officer was taken to hospital by colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for treatment to his injuries believed to be serious, but thankfully not life-threatening at this time.”

She added: “Officers put themselves on the front line to help keep people safe – they do not deserve to be assaulted for simply doing their job, and today’s incident is a stark reminder of the dangers they face.

“Our thoughts are with the officer as he receives ongoing medical treatment today for his injuries in hospital. And we will continue to support him and his family.

“This would have been a terrifying experience for the officer and also his colleagues – with the clear potential to cause life-changing or even fatal injuries.

“Actions were taken this morning in defence of life to protect himself and fellow officers.

“Detectives from our Serious Crime branch have now launched an attempted murder investigation – with their enquiries continuing at pace.”

The Police Ombudsman confirmed it had been notified of the firing of a round, and its investigators attended the scene.

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Commuters on the Elizabeth Line and other trains into London face major disruption today after a points failure near Slough.

Great Western Railway passengers are being warned to expect cancellations, delays and revisions until 3pm.

The problems are affecting services across the GWR network, centring on London Paddington station.

Meanwhile, there are severe delays on the Elizabeth Line between Hayes & Harlington and Reading.

Tickets are being accepted on London Buses, Great Western Railway and South Western Railway, and there is good service on the rest of the line.

Separately, there is no service on the Jubilee line between Finchley Road and Waterloo while engineers fix a signal failure at Green Park.

The issue has also resulted in severe delays on the rest of the line.

This morning’s disruption comes a day before much of the Tube network is set to grind to a halt due to strike action.

Drivers from the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) are due to walk out on Tuesday and Thursday in a dispute over ‘proposed compressed four-day working arrangements’.

The strikes, which will last from midnight to midnight on both days, will mean no service on the Circle line, the Piccadilly line, the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate, and the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street.

Services are expected to go ahead on other London Underground lines on both days.

However, the Tube will start late and finish early, with commuters advised to finish their travels by 9pm on both days.

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MORE: London Tube strikes – full list of affected lines and exact time they will start

MORE: Major train delays to and from Heathrow Airport after water pipe bursts

MORE: Full list of Tube and bus walkouts during London strikes in June

Today’s document release will be the second largest submitted to the House of Commons in its history, after the Chilcot report, which was handed to the lower Parliamentary chamber in 2016.

The UK’s Iran inquiry found that the 2003 invasion of Iraq, under then PM Tony Blair, was unnecessary, based on flawed intelligence, and launched prematurely before diplomats had exhausted all available peaceful options.

North Yorkshire Police say that at about 6.30pm on Sunday (May 31) emergency services were called to the River Wharfe near Burnsall in the Skipton area after a 13-year-old girl was reported missing in the river.

A short time later she was rescued from the water and taken to hospital by air ambulance.

A force spokesman said: “Despite the efforts of members of the public at the scene and medical staff at the scene and in hospital, she sadly died.

“At this stage we are not in a position to release her identity.

“Our thoughts remain with her family at this very distressing time and we ask members of the public and the media to respect the family’s privacy and allow them to grieve in peace.

“Our thanks go to the members of the public who helped at the scene.”

The summer window is yet to open but the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool are already working on new signings. Premier League champions Arsenal are set for another huge summer, with Morgan Rogers a key target as Mikel Arteta demands four new players. A left-sided attacker is the dream, along with a new striker, midfielder and right-back, and Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi is also of interest.

Services are being diverted while works take place

Passengers are facing nine days of disruption as two Metrolink tram stops are closed in Manchester city centre. No trams will call at either Shudehill or Market Street tram stops from today (June 1) to next Tuesday, June 9, with normal service expected to resume next Wednesday.

The closure is to allow improvement works to take place in the city centre, according to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). It means that no trams on the Altrincham and Bury lines will call at Shudehill, Market Street, Piccadilly or Piccadilly Gardens.

All services on the line will run between Bury and Altrincham via Exchange Square, in both directions. Trams on the Trafford Centre line will run to Etihad Campus, rather than Crumpsall as normal, while services between Manchester Airport and Victoria will run via Exchange Square.

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A post on TfGM’s website said: “Customers may need to change trams, take a short walk or hop on the free bus to continue their journey. Outside of free bus operating times, a replacement bus will operate between Piccadilly and Victoria.

“For customers on the Bury and Altrincham lines, the easiest way to reach Piccadilly will be by changing trams at St Peters Square. You may need to change platforms for the right trams, see departure boards and signage on stop for more details.”

Meanwhile, passengers will face further disruption on Sunday (June 7), when track renewal work takes place on the Rochdale line. There will be no trams running between Victoria and Rochdale Town Centre that day as a result, with a bus replacement service in place.

Arne Slot says he is leaving Liverpool “exactly where it belongs: among Europe’s elite” after he was sacked as head coach on Saturday.

The Dutchman, 47, won the Premier League title in his first campaign but was dismissed by the club’s hierarchy after the Reds finished fifth in the league this season, 25 points behind champions Arsenal.

Liverpool will open formal talks with former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola this week over becoming their new head coach.

In an emotional open letter published in the Liverpool Echo, external, Slot said fans made him feel welcome from the start and helped him on his path. “That is something I cherish,” he added.

“I leave with complete confidence in what lies ahead.

“The players who have given so much to this club, who have upheld its values and helped create so many unforgettable moments, have built foundations that will endure.”

Despite suffering 20 defeats in all competitions, Slot secured Liverpool‘s place in next season’s Champions League.

“Securing Champions League football was an important responsibility and one that ensures Liverpool can continue competing at the highest level next season and beyond,” he added.

“Change is part of football, but I know that this club will continue to make its people proud.

“When I first stood beneath that sign in the Anfield tunnel, I knew what this club demanded. I leave knowing we never stopped striving for it.”

He disappeared during that time and attacked police after a manhunt.

And he offered no explanation of why how and why he got there, other than being “impulsive”.

But Steffan Crompton has been allowed to keep his licence so he won’t lose his job at the National Grid.

The 34-year-old, from Bolton, previously pleaded guilty to two incidents in Alexandria that caused hours of disruption.

Just after 10am on August 29, he was speeding on the wrong side of Main Street near Vale of Leven Academy. He collided with a wall and lamp post, causing damage to both and the car.

(Image: Network Rail)

It caused masonry to fall on the rail line, forcing the route between Dumbarton and Balloch to close for emergency repairs.

At the time, it was reported that the car’s driver fled the scene before police arrived.

They appealed to find the man, dressed in a blue anorak and denim trousers.

Main Street was closed between Wylie Avenue and Place of Bonhill.

More than three hours later, Crompton was found on the Dumbarton High Street. He acted aggressively, shouted, swore, uttered threats of violence towards police and struggled with officers.

He admitted that charge and to driving without due care and attention.

(Image: Network Rail)

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court on May 28, Sheriff Maxwell Hendry was unimpressed.

“What puzzles me is that the accident happened in Alexandria,” he said, “there’s no suggestion he suffers head injury, and his behaviour toward the police takes place some three and a half hour later, at an entirely different locus, and claims to have no recollection of intermediary period and tells police he is going to ‘do them all’.”

Crompton’s defence solicitor said: “He is apologetic and ashamed of his actions.”

The sheriff replied that if his client had a concussion, that might be an explanation.

The solicitor said it was a “fairly impactful crash”.

He said his client had been abstinent from any alcohol or narcotics for some time.

It was agreed he was speeding at around 40mph and there was “dampness on the road”, he continued.

“A previous accident left a car somewhat protruding,” said the solicitor. “And when he came around, he lost control of his car.

“He seems to have got his life relatively back on track. He is employed by the National Grid, being in real jeopardy of losing his job if he loses his licence.”

The solicitor said Crompton, of Fair Street, had a “checkered past”.

He added there was “really no excuse” for the behaviour to police. “It’s just not on,” he said. “He apologises for his action.

“I believe he would benefit from supervision. It seems most of his actions seem impulsive.”

Sheriff Hendry said the man’s main concern should be that he not get sent to prison.

“I want you to understand you have come very, very, very close to at least losing your licence,” he said.

“The driving incident is far from the first time. The police incident is inexcusable.”

He imposed eight penalty points on his licence and fined him £300, plus a £20 victim surcharge.

For the police abuse, he was put under social work supervision for 12 months. He must do 150 hours of unpaid work in the community within a year.

UK Athletics Ltd pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter. Keith Davies, 79, then head of sport for the 2017 World Paralympic Athletics Championships, admitted a health and safety charge. Judge Richard Marks KC will sentence UK Athletics and Mr Davies, of Leytonstone, east London, over two days at the Old Bailey from Monday. Corporate manslaughter carries a fine between £180,000 and £20 million, according to guidelines.