The Champions League is back tonight with the finest sides on the continent battling it out to become Champions of Europe.

The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland are expected to take centre stage once again in what promises to be another dramatic season of European football.

But there are a whole host of less familiar players who will be hoping to make a name for themselves in Europe’s premier club competition this term.

Metro takes a look at 10 players to keep a close eye on in the Champions League this season, from Real Madrid’s £120m signing to Barcelona’s new wonderkid.

1. Nico Paz (Como)

Como are making their Champions League debut this season and boast one of the most sought-after young players in the world in Paz.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who was born in Spain but plays for Argentina, was named as the best midfielder in Serie A last season and will look to continue that form on the European stage this campaign.

But while the Italian side will be playing in the Champions League for the first time, Paz will not be, having made three appearances for Real Madrid in the group stage of the 2023/24 edition.

2. Mika Godts (PSG)

Godts enjoyed an incredible breakout season at Ajax last year with over 30 goals and assists notched up for the Dutch giants, which convinced PSG to part with almost £50m for his services this summer.

Godts is yet to start a game for PSG this season but the 21-year-old will surely be given enough game time in the competition by Luis Enrique to showcase his immense talent to Champions League audiences.

Despite his stellar season at Ajax, Godts was remarkably left out of the Belgium squad for the World Cup by the now-departed Rudi Garcia.

3. Konstantinos Karetsas (Borussia Dortmund)

Very few clubs have an eye for young talent as much as Dortmund, who snapped up Karetsas from Genk last month for just shy of £30m.

The attacking midfielder has started both of Dortmund’s Bundesliga games this season and even scored for the German side in their 3-2 victory over Arsenal in pre-season.

Karetsas, 18, is the poster boy for a golden generation of Greek football, who have silently produced one of the most promising groups of players in international football.

4. Pio Esposito (Inter)

Esposito has emerged as one of the most rounded young strikers in Europe over the past 12 months.

The Italian star scored a modest ten goals for the Nerazzurri last season, but it is his all-round performances which have produced such a hype around the 21-year-old.

The likes of Arsenal and Manchester United have been credited with an interest in Esposito, who has recently signed a new six-year deal with the Serie A champions.

5. Yan Diomande (Real Madrid)

The major heavyweights of European football were all circling around Diomande this summer, and it was Real Madrid who emerged victorious with a club-record £120m deal to secure his signature from Leipzig in August.

The move to the Bernabeu marks a meteoric rise for the winger, who only joined Leipzig from Leganes last year.

The 19-year-old has struggled for game time under Jose Mourinho in the early stages of the campaign, but there is little doubting the talent that the Ivorian possesses.

6. Oskar Pietuszewski (Porto)

Porto would have had high hopes when they signed Pietuszewski from Jagiellonia Bialystok for just £9m back in January, but they surely couldn’t have imagined quite the impact he would go on to make.

The Polish star almost instantly cemented his place in the starting XI with a string of age-defying displays on the wing.

Pietuszewski, 18, has subsequently been linked with the likes Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool and it’s only a matter of time until the Pole gets picked up by one of the continent’s elite.

7. Noah Fernandez (PSV)

Fernandez made his first-team debut last season and went on to feature in a handful of games for PSV – the majority of them coming towards the end of the campaign.

But the start of this season has seen Fernandez establish himself as first-choice in midfield despite being just 18.

A strong showing in the Champions League over the next few months could see the Belgian wonderkid become the next big sale from the Eredivisie.

8. Ismael Saibari (Bayern Munich)

Saibari had already cemented himself as one of the best players in the Dutch league with PSV over the past couple of seasons, but it was his performances in the World Cup which really saw the Moroccan make a name for himself.

His three goals for the Atlas Lions in North America this summer was enough to earn him a £45m move to Bayern in July.

The 25-year-old marked his Bundesliga debut with two assists against Stuttgart despite not even being on the pitch for half an hour, and he looks set to boost Bayern’s already enviable collection of attacking talent.

9. Xavi Espart (Barcelona)

It feels like Barcelona introduce a new wonderkid to the world every year, and this time it’s the turn of Espart to emerge as the next gem from their fabled La Masia academy.

The 19-year-old has played every minute for Barcelona at left back this season and has not looked out of place amongst the club’s superstars.

What’s even more impressive is the fact that Espart is a midfielder by trade – and not to mention the fact he’s right-footed – in what is an extraordinary display of versatility.

10. Rodrigo Mora (Roma)

Mora burst onto the scene at Porto when he was just 17 and went on to score 12 goals in a staggering 2024/25 season with the Portuguese club.

An underwhelming second year followed, however, with Mora managing just one goal in the league in 2025/26.

Roma overlooked the struggles of last season when they bought Mora for £21m in the summer, and they will be hoping the now-19-year-old can rediscover the form which made him one of the best young players in the world just a couple of years ago.

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Hundreds of thousands of Britons may have a hidden blood condition putting them at greater risk of serious illness or early death, a study has found. 

Anaemia – most commonly caused by a lack of iron which leads to fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body – can trigger extreme fatigue, chest pains, dizziness and headaches. 

It has long been linked to issues such as heart failure, pregnancy complications and dementia. 

Now researchers from the University of Glasgow say people with ‘borderline anaemia’ – who may not be identified under current diagnostic guidelines – similarly face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and premature death.

The study, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, analysed data from nearly half a million UK Biobank participants over a decade.

It is one of the biggest investigations of its kind into the link between haemoglobin levels, serious disease and early death.

Scientists analysed blood samples collected at UK Biobank centres to measure participants’ haemoglobin levels – the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body.

They found that extremes at either end – having too much or too little haemoglobin – were associated with the highest risk.

Currently, anaemia is diagnosed using thresholds set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that have remained unchanged for half a century.

Under current guidelines, anaemia is only diagnosed once the amount of haemoglobin – the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body – falls below a set level.

But researchers now believe this cut-off may be missing people at risk.

They found that people whose haemoglobin was low, but still considered within the normal range, were more likely to die early than those with higher levels.

Dr Malek Ahmad, clinician-scientist at the University of Glasgow and study lead author, said: ‘Risk already starts to increase with borderline anaemia, before haemoglobin falls below the current WHO threshold.

‘Currently, many doctors do not even recognise a person has anaemia until it’s moderately severe.

‘Showing that borderline anaemia is associated with increased risk and a high prevalence of iron deficiency should encourage investigation and treatment of a broad range of patients with mild/borderline anaemia.’

Anaemia is most commonly caused by iron deficiency, which leaves the body unable to make enough healthy red blood cells. A lack of vitamin B12 or folate can also be responsible.

Common symptoms include tiredness, pale skin, irritability and a racing heartbeat.

Iron deficiency can be caused by not getting enough iron from food but heavy periods and pregnancy are also common causes.

Long-term health problems, including kidney disease and conditions that cause inflammation in the body, can also lead to anaemia.

Some medicines can make it harder for the body to absorb iron, including common heartburn drugs such as omeprazole. Calcium and zinc supplements and certain antibiotics can also interfere with iron absorption.

However, the researchers stressed that their findings do not prove that low haemoglobin itself causes people to die earlier.

They now want to investigate whether the guidelines should be updated to take account of factors such as diet, stress and obesity, which could help doctors spot people at risk earlier.

Around two billion people worldwide are thought to have iron deficiency, including 1.2 billion who have developed iron-deficiency anaemia.

In the UK, an estimated 3 per cent of men and 8 per cent of women have the condition, while more than 57,000 people are admitted to hospital with anaemia every year.

In many cases, however, the condition can be treated relatively simply. A daily iron supplement – costing as little as 10p a pill – can be enough to restore iron levels.

Eating more iron-rich foods can also help, including dark leafy vegetables such as kale, fortified breakfast cereals and red meat.

It comes amid growing concern over a rise in the number of Britons being admitted to hospital because they are deficient in essential vitamins and minerals.

Earlier this year, NHS figures revealed a dramatic increase in patients admitted with anaemia caused by iron deficiency, as well as illnesses linked to a lack of B vitamins.

The Royal College of GPs warned that the cost-of-living crisis has made a nutritious diet ‘increasingly unaffordable’ for some people, describing the figures as ‘very concerning’.

Residents who live near the road are desperate for something to be done

Village residents have said something must be done to fix a “crazy” and “confusing” junction which has become a hotspot for accidents. Gayle Lindsay lives in Milton next to the A10, but drives through the village instead to avoid the junction with Humphries Way.

The 57-year-old said: “We don’t go out on the A10 because it’s accident prone – you get used to the noise, but they’re building a lot more houses at Waterbeach. Traffic is usually queuing through the village and at night it goes back through the roundabout – it needs upgrading. I leave work at four and they are queuing all the way up to the roundabout past five.”

She said when a crash happens all the traffic is redirected through Milton, causing the village to become congested. At one point, it felt to her there was an incident every weekend and she feels the junction needs to be replaced with traffic lights or a roundabout.

Roger Lennox said drivers on the A10 are supposed to give way to cars turning off Humphries Way, but he feels they rarely do. The 78-year-old said: “A lot of people there can’t drive properly – people coming out of here have the right of way to turn right. A roundabout would be better, or traffic lights.”

Lynley Oliver moved to Milton in June and said the junction is “crazy”. The 55-year-old said: “We came from London so traffic is not really a problem, but the junction out there is crazy – it needs lights or something.”

Paul Smith also said the junction “needs sorting” and it’s not clear who is allowed to turn. The 64-year-old said: “They’ve fixed this junction before but they didn’t seem to take into consideration anyone’s view.

“It’s very frustrating because in Cambridgeshire the roads aren’t great and some take a while to get fixed. I never know which way to go out of here to get to Tesco, if it’s best to go left or through the village – I usually choose to go through the village because of the junction.”

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A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire County Council said: “We’re aware of concerns relating to the junction of Humphries Way and the A10 near Waterbeach. Road safety is a key priority for the council and improvements to the junction are planned as part of the Waterbeach development proposals.

“Cambridgeshire County Council is currently working on plans to upgrade the junction with traffic signals to meet the requirements of the Section 106 agreement associated with the development. The scheme will be funded by the developer, Urban & Civic, and is currently expected to be delivered by early 2028.”

Salma Hayek stripped down for a nude swim and revealed she was ‘grateful’ on Monday as she marked her 60th birthday.

The actress, who reached the milestone age on Wednesday, looked happy and glowing while enjoying the water in racy new Instagram snaps.

In one image, the star rested her face in her hands and smiled as she lay down in the water. 

Ensuring her modesty was carefully covered by the water, Salma tipped her head back and looked up towards the sky, letting her hair fall down her back in a second snap.

Captioning her liberating photos, Salma penned: ’60 and grateful.’

Her post was met with a plethora of birthday wishes from her fans and showbiz pals including Vanessa Hudgens, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Olivia Munn. 

The actress, who reached the milestone age on Wednesday, looked happy and glowing while enjoying the water in racy new Instagram snaps

Salma was one of Hollywood’s biggest sex symbols in the Nineties, captivating audiences with her racy performances in films such as Dogma and From Dusk Till Dawn. 

And decades on, she has retained her pin-up girl status, even landing the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue last year. 

As the Oscar-nominated star celebrated her 60th birthday last week, fans have been left in awe at her youthful looks. 

Salma has been open about her diet, fitness and wellness secrets over the years, allowing fans to try out her methods. 

When it comes to her incredible skin, Salma stays away from invasive cosmetic procedures insisting ‘no Botox, no fillers, no peels’.

However, she has admitted to utilising modern skincare technologies, using radio-frequency and micro-frequency machines to tighten her skin and reduce wrinkles.  

Salma also swears by Tepezcohuite, a bark extract used in Mexico for burn treatment, that she claims ‘completely regenerates the skin’.

When it comes to exercise, Salma says she doesn’t have the ‘discipline’ to work out every morning, previously telling People: ‘I don’t have time to exercise, I am working. I’ve had some 20-hour days.’

Her post was met with a plethora of birthday wishes from her fans and showbiz pals including Vanessa Hudgens, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Olivia Munn

As the Oscar-nominated star celebrated her 60th birthday last week, fans have been left in awe at her youthful looks  

Instead she focuses on her posture, as she explained: ‘I work with a woman in London who taught me how to hold my body in a way where the muscles are activated all day long. So even when you brush your teeth, you’re working the muscles.’

Salma also relies on restorative yoga, saying: ‘She taught me to tone my muscles without clenching them. 

‘You relax them and focus on the parts that need to be used, but never with tension. If you’re aware of your body, you’d be surprised by the effect it can have.’

While not completely averse to traditional workout methods, Salma does occasionally hop on the treadmill, but instead of running on the pad she prefers to dance on it. 

And to keep her muscles in good shape, Salma relies on a good massage. 

‘I have a [massage therapist], but she lives in Japan,’ Salma told Inquisitr. ‘She only comes to London every once in a while. But when she comes, she’s my secret weapon. 

‘Massage oxygenates, activates the circulation, and keeps the muscles healthy and firm. I cannot tell you, even just for the lymphatic [system], what the massage does for the face.’

As for her diet, Salma doesn’t restrict herself, having confessed: ‘I don’t like to diet and I’m not good at it.’ 

Britain is facing reprisals from the US and Israel as Andy Burnham prepares to impose sanctions on West Bank settlements.

A package of measures banning imports from the disputed areas is set to be announced later, despite a mounting backlash.

The PM informed Donald Trump of his plans in a call last night, with the Government bracing for the president to respond publicly. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband will face questions in the Commons. 

But the move is already causing a storm, with the US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee branding it ‘Jew hate’.

In another escalation overnight, Florida congressman Randy Fine warned that the state has a law that would ban UK imports in retaliation.

An Israeli minister has insisted it could support Argentina’s campaign to seize control of the Falklands, while terror experts have warned of the risk from disrupting intelligence from a long-standing ally. 

There is also disquiet in Labour ranks, with one MP raising alarm about ‘a real risk of increased chances of attacks on the British Jewish community’.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband will face questions in the Commons on the policy later

Concern about Israeli settlements has been mounting for years. It has intensified following Israel’s recent decision to open tenders for 1,200 homes east of Jerusalem, which would divide the West Bank

Touring broadcast studios for the Government this morning, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden insisted Israel remains a key ally of the UK.

He argued the measures would be targeted and not amount to a de facto ban on trade with the state.

Mr Burnham has not spoken to Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu since becoming PM in July.

Labour has been under intense pressure from activists to toughen its position on Israel after losing votes to the Greens and pro-Gaza independents.

Concern about settlements has been mounting for years. It has intensified following Israel’s recent decision to open tenders for 1,200 homes east of Jerusalem, which would divide the West Bank.

Mr Miliband – who is Jewish – last week said the plan was ‘crossing a red line’ and ‘illegal under international law’.

He said the proposal ‘cuts through the heart of the West Bank and risks making a Palestinian state unviable’.

Mr Miliband said Labour wanted a ‘comprehensive reset’ of relations with Israel.

Mr Burnham has said the Israeli proposals could ‘imperil or end’ the dream of a two-state solution, which successive British governments have supported for years. In a call with Mr Trump last night he reiterated his commitment to a two-state solution.

But Itamar Ben-Gvir, the hardline Minister of National Security of Israel, wrote on X: ‘It’s time for the State of Israel to publicly recognize that the Malvinas Islands are Argentine territory under occupation, which the British violently steal from the Argentine people.

‘The British are not content with merely occupying the territory; they also carry out oil drilling there and steal the money from the Argentine people.

‘I call upon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recognize Argentina’s sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands and to impose sanctions on Great Britain as long as the occupation continues.’

Although Mr Trump has yet to comment, Republican Mr Fine posted on social media: ‘As the British government considers forcing British companies to boycott portions of Israel, it should be aware that a Florida law that I passed as a member of the Legislature would ban any British company forced to comply from doing business with any state or local government in Florida. 

‘It would also end any British business participating in that boycott from doing any business in Florida if it needed any official interaction with state or local government to operate (permits, tax collection). 

‘Florida is one of Britain’s largest trading partners. They should understand that their vanity project in support of Muslim terror could cost them billions of dollars. 

‘And for those who doubt the power of this policy, it was this same law that broke Airbnb’s misguided effort to boycott portions of Israel in 2019. 

The PM informed Donald Trump of his plans in a call last night, with the Government bracing for the president to respond publicly

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‘They realized that this law would have bankrupted their company. Florida has made it clear. Any company — or nation — that boycotts Israel is boycotted by Florida.’ 

Conservative shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat warned at the weekend that the move to impose sanctions could imperil security cooperation credited with saving British lives.

He urged ministers to ‘put our own national interests and our own national security first’, adding: ‘That means that where we have friends and allies who provide us with intelligence in order to keep us safe we should work with them.’

Harry and Meghan have said they were ‘surprised’ by the King’s bombshell letter making it crystal clear they will be treated as ‘private citizens’ rather than working royals.

In a statement issued to the media, the couple’s spokesman struck a confrontational tone and claimed they had not been told in advance.

Palace sources told the Daily Mail this was ‘incorrect’, insisting Harry and Meghan received the letter before it was released publicly, although they were not consulted on its contents.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who returned to Britain a fortnight ago, are also understood to be concerned that the timing of the King’s announcement may be linked to a crucial meeting on their security arrangements.

Harry and Meghan are still pushing for 24/7 armed police protection now they are back in the UK with their children, Archie and Lilibet, amid concerns about their safety on the school run.

The Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), the Home Office body responsible for decisions on royal security, is reportedly due to meet as early as today to discuss arrangements for the Sussexes.

But last night the King ruled out any role for Harry and Meghan within the Royal Family on the eve of the crunch security meeting.

A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess said: ‘We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance.’

The remark appeared to be an admission that publication of the letter had caught the couple off guard.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend The Braemar Gathering in the Highlands on Saturday

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Palace sources also told the Daily Mail that the release had nothing to do with the security issue or any meeting.

The letter was released publicly in the interests of ‘transparency’. 

King Charles’s letter told more than 100 ‘senior stakeholders’ across the country that his son and daughter-in-law are not working royals with a reminder that their HRH titles remain on ice.

It comes after sources close to the couple repeatedly briefed select media about plans for their new life back in Britain.

They include a resumption of public engagements with the media invited to attend. Some of the couple’s friends have even boasted that Harry has finally secured the ‘half-in, half-out’ deal he always wanted – with the freedom to mine lucrative commercial opportunities while undertaking limited official duties by the ‘back door’.

That model was firmly rejected as unworkable by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, at the so-called ‘Sandringham Summit’ of January 2020, which led to the Sussexes’ acrimoniously quitting, not only royal life, but also Britain while embarking on a series of very public attacks on the institution.

Now the King has moved decisively to quash speculation over their return, and publicly re-enforce the boundaries laid down by his late mother.

And he makes clear that Harry and Meghan’s public appearances should not be treated as royal engagements and no public money should be spent on them.

Publication of the letter came as Prince Harry conducted his first official outing on Monday since arriving back in Britain – and will be seen by many as particularly timely. He was pictured smiling at the Tower Bridge Studios in London and signing a mural on a wall during a pseudo-royal engagement.

Later, Meghan’s As Ever Instagram page posted a photo of the Duchess petting a dog in the sunshine in what is thought to be the first picture of her put online since the Sussexes arrived back to the UK.  

The letter released on Monday was written on His Majesty’s instruction by his Lord Chamberlain, Lord Benyon, head of the Royal Household, following ‘a number of requests for guidance’. 

It states clearly that ‘there is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used’.

It adds: ‘The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity. In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.’

Meghan’s As Ever Instagram page posted the first picture of the Duchess since she returned to the UK today. It showed Meghan playing with a dog in the sunshine

Harry and Meghan at a David Foster Foundation event in Canada on August 7

Former press secretary to Queen Elizabeth, Ailsa Anderson-Cole, told the Daily Mail that the letter was ‘decisive and unequivocal’.

‘It was also cleverly done, making their position clear, but in response to queries by stakeholders [rather than by issuing their own statement].’ she said.

‘The King is taking charge of the narrative and acting decisively to end any speculation.’

The letter was sent to the duke and duchess’s team shortly before it was made public, without any discussion over its contents, the Mail understands.

Among the ‘senior stakeholders’ to receive it were the 98 Lord Lieutenants who are the monarch’s representatives in counties across the UK. 

The Mail understands that Buckingham Palace had been contacted by a number of officials seeking clarity about operational matters pertaining to the Sussex family while they are resident in the UK. The letter was ‘shared’ with Harry’s team and then released publicly in the interests of ‘transparency’.

Officials stressed that there was nothing new in its contents, and that it simply reiterated Buckingham Palace’s position ‘in full accordance with the Sussex family’s stated wishes to remain private citizens while in the UK’.

It was, they added, ‘in keeping’ with the Sandringham agreement, which still very much stands. However, the fact that the Palace chose to send the letter out demonstrates the level of consternation and confusion sparked by the family’s sudden return.

The suggestion that the guidance has been issued to make clear the ‘continued position for the benefit of all parties’ will be interpreted by some as a warning shot across the Sussexes’ bow.

‘People have been asking for clarity. The guidance is both consistent and clear,’ a source told the Mail.

The letter is also at pains to stress, given Harry’s continued lobbying of the Home Office to reinstate his taxpayer-funded police protection now he has returned home, that this remains a matter for the department’s executive committee Ravec to determine, and not the King.

It is expected to make a ruling on the matter in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the palace says questions over security around a visit by Harry or Meghan should be referred to the local police authority.

Since their decision to quit the UK in 2020 and his loss in the High Court against the Home Office security decision, Harry had maintained it was unsafe for him to bring his family to the UK. 

Just a year ago he publicly stated that he could not foresee a time this would ever happen. 

But in July he brought Meghan and their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, over for a short holiday during which they met King Charles at Highgrove for the first time in four years.

Then last month sources close to the prince revealed they had suddenly decided to return to the UK. The King was only told of the move four days before the news was made public and the family arrived just two weeks later. It is understood they have settled in the Cotswolds, with the children enrolled in a local private school.

– READ MORE: Cancer treatment can’t slow Charles down! King sets a cracking pace with engagements 

the victim said said the attack left him with ‘lumps on his head’ and a patch of his hair was missing

A homeless man was attacked and robbed in Llandudno by thugs who wrongly thought he was a sex offender. The victim was punched and kicked during the “nasty” incident in the seaside town.

David Hayward, 41, has been jailed for 12 months for actual bodily harm against the victim. Katie Davies, 24, was jailed for 16 months, suspended for two years, for robbing the man in the same incident.

Joshua Gorst, prosecuting, told Caernarfon Crown Court that the victim had been sitting outside Sainsbury’s on Mostyn Street in Llandudno on October 26, 2024. He had a tent, a sleeping bag and a rucksack, reports North Wales Live.

One of his attackers showed a story on a mobile phone wrongly indicating that he had been involved in a sex offence, when it was a different person of the same name. Hayward slapped the victim and Davies splattered him with cider and took his tent, the court heard.

Davies also called the victim a “tramp,” said Mr Gorst. Hayward, Davies and another man then led the victim around the back of the former Marks and Spencer store and into a car park. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.

Hayward punched the victim, who fell to the floor, and kicked him. Eventually the victim managed to get away and ran to Llandudno train station and rang police.

Officers identified Hayward, Davies and the other man from CCTV footage. Hayward told police that he was intimidated by the victim and denied taking his property.

The court heard Hayward has 74 convictions for 175 offences.

In a statement, the victim said he had “lumps on his head,” an extremely bad headache and a small patch of his hair was missing.

Sarah Yates, defending Hayward, said he had had paranoid schizophrenia and was alcohol dependent to try to relieve some of the symptoms.

She said Hayward accepts he had acted “abominably” towards the victim.

Elen Owen, defending Davies, said she had suffered childhood trauma and been “street homeless” herself. She said Davies had felt “peer pressure” from the other two men – Hayward and their companion.

Ms Owen added: “She felt that if she did not go along with what was going on violence may well have been directed towards her.”

She accepts she assaulted the victim in the “unplanned attack”. It was out of character. She lives a long way from North Wales now and works shifts.

The judge, His Honour Timothy Petts, said the victim had been homeless, extremely vulnerable and was left shaken and scared.

He jailed Hayward, of Pwllycrochan Avenue, Colwyn Bay, and imposed the suspended sentence on Davies, of Canterbury Way, Stevenage.

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A mum who disappeared just before Christmas in 2001 was found 24 years later with her children reeling from living their lives without their mother – and her explanation was strange.

A mum who vanished without a trace 24 years ago after going Christmas shopping was found alive more than two decades later – and had a chilling explanation for her disappearance.

Michele Hundley Smith left her three children, then aged seven, 14 and 19 alone and they did not see her again for over two decades. Michele’s disappearance from North Carolina, was investigated by police and the FBI.

Earlier this year, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed she was “alive and well”.

Her shocked family were left wondering what happened back in 2001, as it’s been revealed she’s been leading a double life, with an eerie reason for leaving, according to the The Guardian.

Speaking to local broadcaster WFMYNews2, her cousin Barbara Byrd said: “I kind of want to go outside and scream ‘she’s alive, she’s alive’. For years, we didn’t know if we were grieving or waiting… My biggest question is to her ‘What happened all those years ago in December? What made you leave? What happened?”.

In an official statement, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed Smith had asked for her location to be kept private. Barbara added: “I understand and respect that she doesn’t want any of us to contact her. I’m not angry. The biggest answer I had today was she was alive. Nothing else matters right at this moment.”

Federal law enforcement agencies in North Carolina and Virginia had been searching for Michele and found her disappearance “troubling” but got nowhere with her case.

Then, on 19 February, the Rockingham sheriff’s office said it received a tip about Michele. Michele’s daughter, Amanda, took to Facebook, writing a lengthy post following her mother’s reappearance in February.

She said: “As far as my opinions and feelings on my mom…I am ecstatic, I am p*****, I am heartbroken, I am all over the map. Will I have a relationship once more with my mom?”.

“Honestly I can’t answer that because I don’t even know. My initial reaction would be yes absolutely but then I think of all the hurt…But even then, my mom is only human just as we all are.”

Amanda discussed the bond she had with her mother, saying it “will never be forgotten”. She went on: “There were mother daughter arguments of course, but right now all I can remember are the smiles we shared, the times together that were happy and the love I felt.”

She said that both her parents “deserve to have their choices and their feelings respected”.

Amanda said her mother’s disappearance had traumatised the family and haunted them for years, leaving them with a list unanswered questions swimming around their heads.

Investigators made contact with Michele in another community of North Carolina, and announced that they had found her healthy and safe. Rockingham’s sheriff, Sam Page, said Michele had told him unspecified “domestic issues” led her to flee and she did not want the details of her new life exposed.

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A Facebook page created for her disappearance – “Bring Michele Hundley Smith Home” – confirmed that she had been driving a forest-green 1995 Pontiac Trans Sport van, which was never found.

The page said: “Michele would have never left her children by choice”. It continued: “We are desperate for answers and we are asking for community support and assistance in trying to find the truth on what happened to Michele and why she mysteriously vanished never to be seen again.

“There has been no real investigation into her disappearance to this day almost 20 years later. Lets try and end this nightmare for Michele’s loved ones and bring her home.”

However, come March, after Amanda and her siblings were reunited, Michele’s daughter had a different message for her mother and offered her forgiveness. As the pair hugged in front of a courthouse she said: “I know everything is not black and white – there’s a whole gray area. And so I mean, look – life’s too short for me to hold a grudge against her because she’s my mom.”

She said her and other family members had chosen to “make individual decisions about the relationship they want to have with” her mother. Amanda added: “We only get one life – and I want my mom in it.”

Public transport service updates from bus services, train services, including LNER, Cross Country, TransPennine, and Northern Rail. Updates from the Tyne and Wear Metro and the latest from Teesside and Newcastle Airports.

We’ll also be bringing you the latest hour-by-hour weather forecast for the region.

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Travel Disruptions

There seems to be no travel disruptions at this time.

Train Disruptions

There seems to be no train disruptions at this time.

What will the weather be like in the North East today?

According to the Met Office, today will consist of sunny intervals and showers.

Today: A mixture of sunny intervals and blustery showers, some of which will be heavy and perhaps thundery, especially over western hills. Winds freshening once again to give a rather cool feel to the day. Maximum temperature 17 °C.

Tonight: Partly cloudy through the evening with showers gradually dying out. Becoming largely dry overnight and clear in the west, though cloudier along eastern coasts. Winds easing. Minimum temperature 6 °C.

Are there any roadworks in Darlington?

• Give take traffic due to telecoms work on Thornton Street both ways between Corporation Road and Gladstone Street.
• Closed to commercial vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on Upper Russell Street Eastbound from B6279 Freemans Place to Borough Road.
• Height limit of 4.3 meters on B6280 Parkgate both ways between Neasham Road and Borough Road.
• Temporary traffic signals due to telecoms work on A68 Woodland Road both ways between Hollyhurst Road and Bracken Road.
• Give take traffic due to electricity work on Winchester Way both ways at Rochester Way.
• Give take traffic due to construction on Auckland Avenue both ways between Brinkburn Road and Auckland Oval.

All of this information is from AA Traffic Maps.

Plans had been submitted to modernise the property on Sandown Road, Harwood, including converting the garage into living space, rendering the property and changing its windows.

The most distinctive part of the scheme was glazing on the front of the bungalow stretching from ground level to the apex of the roof.

Bolton Council refused permission in April, arguing that the combined impact of the increased glazing and render would harm the character and appearance of the area.

The decision was appealed, with an appeal statement arguing that the council had “very substantially overstated” the significance of what was described as a “modest glazing panel” above the entrance.

It also argued that “residential neighbourhoods are not museum exhibits”.

The statement said established neighbourhoods naturally evolve as homeowners adapt and modernise their properties.

It pointed to other properties in Harwood where contemporary alterations had previously been approved, including a bungalow around 500 metres away on Hough Fold Way and a home on Chale Green.

But planning inspector Martin H Seddon dismissed the appeal after visiting the site on August 18.

The inspector did, however, disagree with concerns over the render.

He noted that a significant number of nearby bungalows already incorporated render and said: “I see no reason why it should not be used as an external material at the appeal building.”

The floor-to-roof glazing proved decisive.

Mr Seddon said there were no other bungalows with full-height glazing in the immediate vicinity and that the proposed front elevation would appear “prominent and out of character in the street scene”.

The appeal had highlighted a triangular window previously approved at the bungalow next door, but the inspector said this was smaller and separated from the doors below.

He concluded that the proposed glazing would be “harmful to the character and appearance of the surrounding area because of its scale and extent”.

The appeal was therefore dismissed.

However, much of the planned makeover can still go ahead, with the council approving an almost identical scheme for the bungalow which retains the rendered elevations but removes the disputed glazing above the entrance.