Undated handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of 44-year-old Michelle Sadio. Mother-of-two Michelle was gunned down outside a wake at the River of Life Pentecostal Church in Willesden, north London, on December 14 2024. Following an Old Bailey trial, Perry Allen-Thomas, 27, and Amir Salem, 20, were found guilty of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Issue date: Wednesday May 20, 2026.
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After months of drab drizzly and grey skies, we are pleased to announce the sun is finally here. And, not to jinx it, but it seems like it will be for longer than one day only.
With the long weekend – not to mention summer – coming up, we’re not expecting a medal for predicting that you’ve caught the urge to cook outdoors.
Obviously, the start of any successful season starts with getting your garden ready for guests to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at – so we’ve already rounded up the best garden furniture and low-effort gear to transform your space.
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But you can’t exactly cook on cobblestones, can you? If you’re thinking about splashing out on a new piece of cooking gear for your garden, here’s HuffPost’s round-up of the best barbecues, grills, and pizza ovens to shop now.
Because nothing says ‘celebrate the sun’ like sweating in front of a scorching surface!
How we chose the best barbecues and pizza ovens
We know cooking outside is a serious sport for some, so rest assured, we’ve put in the work of finding the best barbecues on the market. For those not tested by the HuffPost team, we scoured the internet to find the best-rated barbecues, grills, and pizza ovens across a range of price points and brands.
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Across the board, we looked for options that were easy to set up, move around the garden, and were good value for money. We’ve also included grills and ovens in a range of sizes, and those powered by a mix of electricity, gas, coal, and wood.
Best barbecues and grills
Whether you’re hosting a garden bash, or simply whipping up a quick weeknight meal for the family, these are the best barbecues and grills to shop now.
Want the satisfaction of grilling your own sausages, but don’t have a garden? Same, which is why I’m enamoured by this portable barbecue. Forget those shiny aluminium disposable BBQs you can get at the shops, this one can not only be used endlessly, but it’s also super lightweight. That doesn’t mean it sacrifices performance, though, because the heavyweight lid leaves enough room to cook larger items like a steak, while the valve allows you to get your heat to just the right level, so you can perfect your sear.
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If the fact that the people’s princess, Gordon Ramsay, uses these grills isn’t enough to convince you to try one out, maybe this will. Inpsired by Japanese cooking, Kasai grills use charcoal instead of gas. The searing heat makes for a quicker cook and an end result that is more smoky and flavoursome than other grills could ever hope to achieve. This nano size is ideal for smaller patios or cooking a mere skewer or two, but it also comes in little, medium, medium long, and long sizes.
Should you be cooking up a storm this weekend, you’ll have room to cook for all the family on this charcoal grill. With space for up to 12 burgers, you won’t have to worry about frantically running around to cater for all your guests, and there’s even surface space on the side for rolls, sauces, and sides. It might be mighty sturdy, but unlike other back-breaking barbecues, this one comes on wheels so you can easily relocate it to get it out of your hair during the colder months.
Summer is all about day drinking like a fish, so why not smoke some fish to for some sustenance, too? Shaped like an egg, Gregg is fuelled by coal, but is ideal for smoking your choice of meat, fish, and veggies with the addition of wood chips. As well as fitting up to 10 burgers, it has a three-layer grid that allows you to grill, warm, and roast all at once. Because he’s generous, Gregg also comes with an 12 inch pizza stone, for the indecisive among us who can’t choose between a BBQ and a pizza oven.
As a barbecue beginner, I always worry that I won’t be able to make it past the set up stage, let alone figure out how to navigate the gas of it all. Luckily, this barbecue is completely beginner-friendly, according to its 250+ five-star reviews. As well as being easy to set up and move around once you have, this barbecue is ideal if you’re the kind of people who are circumstantial grillers, as it’s pretty small and unobtrusive. It’s great value for money, and even has a side burner for some added space.
Now this is how you get a party started! With a whopping six burners, this barbecue can cook up to 27 burgers at once. Its handy side burner means you can get a sauce going while your food bronzes, while the side tables house an ice bucket to keep your drink cold (which we have a suspicion you’ll be grateful for). Plus, that huge base is in fact a huge cavern for your cooking tools, gas, and whatever else you might need.
If you’re garden is on the smaller side, you won’t want to have a f*ck off huge barbecue lingering about year-round. Vonhaus has created a BBQ that won’t take up too much space. The heat can be adjusted by simply raising the charcoal tray closer to the grill, and the handle comes with its very own built-in bottle opener (cool as hell). With enough room to feed a family of three or four, this will be your go-to for warmer seasons.
As the masters of the air fryer, Shark knows what it’s doing when it comes to cooking appliances. This gas barbecue is no exception, as it forces you to ask more of your barbecue by not only grilling, but smoking, roasting, griddling, and making pizzas, too. So you don’t overdo your meat (nightmare situation) it has an in-built precision burner, which allows you to see how hot it’s getting in there. And, meatheads rejoice: Shark Ninja has partnered with HGWalter so you can get 30% off a meat box to get started.
Best pizza ovens
It’s not just barbecues that can cook a variety of food – as well as cooking (duh) pizzas, these ovens can be used to grill veggies, fish, and meat. You might even find yourself kneading a naan bread to slide in there.
Fancy yourself a serious pizza chef? Well, then you deserve the equipment to match that energy. According to our parenting editor, it takes up to four people to get it out of the box, thanks to weighing a mighty 73kg. Once you’ve got it on the stand, though, you’re good to go. Setup is a breeze and you’ve got enough space to stick two 14″ pizzas in, which means you can actually sit and eat together, rather than having someone do all the legwork while the rest of you eat, unlike smaller pizza ovens. Families who want to spend lots of time outdoors this summer, this one’s for you, as it heats up (and cools down) fast, and is brilliant to cook with even when the winter months hit thanks to accommodating everything from steak, to chicken wings, and more.
Sometimes you want to make a day of cooking pizza. I mean, if you’re making your own dough, why not? But others, you simply want to crack on with it and have a sizzling pie in front of you within the half hour. If you tend to flip flop between the two, this oven from Delvita gives you the option to do both, thanks to being fuelled by either gas or wood, depending on the day. Should you choose the former, it takes a speedy 15 minutes to heat up, and it’s easy enough to switch over to wood once it’s warm to achieve that charred and chewy crust. Plus, if you buy it between 23rd and 25th May, you’ll get £187 worth of free products, including a Leather Apron, Leather Pizza Glove, and Black Cast Iron Dish – and who doesn’t love free stuff?
Pizza on the go? Do I even need to grace that with a response? This lightweight Delvita oven has foldable legs, and is deceptively lightweight, which makes it ideal for packing up and taking on camping holidays with you. To make sure you, and it, stay safe wherever you go, it comes with a travel case, foldable peel, regulator, pipe, and temperature gun. Plus, when you buy it between 23rd and 25th May, you’ll get your first two gas canisters completely free.
Don’t want to rely on the British weather to hold up? Fair enough, we wouldn’t want a rain-sodden pizza, either. Powered by electricity, this oven from Ooni allows you to make pizza in the comfort of your own home – or rather, in the safety of your four walls. It takes just 12 minutes to make a pizza, and comes with your choice of a medium or large padel so that your path to chewy, doughy goodness couldn’t be either.
If I’m being really honest, using gas scares me, but I want to be able to cook outside. Hence why I’m obsessed with this electric Shark Ninja outdoor oven, which takes just three minutes to crisp up your pizza once heated up. You can also use it as an air fryer, to bake (because trying to bake inside on a boiling hot day is not it), or as a proving container. So you’re fully set and ready to go, the oven comes with an oven cover, pizza wheel cutter, pizza Stone, baking tray, pizza peel, and air fry basket – woah.
The RSPCA is appealing for information after the young female cat had to be put to sleep after being seriously injured when she was shot in North Yorkshire.
The grey and white tabby is believed to have been targeted with a .22 rifle.
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She was rushed to a vet after returning to her home in Whitewall, Norton, on Tuesday, May 5 after going missing the previous weekend.
Her owners thought she had been involved in a road traffic accident because she was unable to use her back legs.
An examination showed the young cat had suffered an entry wound to her abdomen and a shattered femur.
Due to the fragments retrieved, it is believed she had been shot with a live round from a .22 rifle.
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Despite emergency treatment her condition deteriorated and she was sadly put to sleep the following day on veterinary advice.
The RSPCA is appealing to anyone with information to come forward and is asking pet owners living in Welham Road, Whitewall Corner Hill and the surrounding area to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the police.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer, James Dack, said: “Our hearts go out to the owners of this young cat who have lost their much-loved cat in the most dreadful circumstances.
“If she hadn’t managed to get home she may never have been found and she would have suffered, alone, even more. We’d urge anyone with first-hand knowledge about this incident to get in touch.”
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The RSPCA has received nearly 500 reports about weapon attacks on animals over the past three years including incidents involving guns, catapults and crossbows.
As more police forces are seeing worrying levels of weapons-related incidents, the charity has helped to develop initiatives like Operation Lakeshot, a police-led partnership which aims to tackle catapult-related wildlife crime.
Anyone with information about the shooting in can contact the RSPCA’s inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018 quoting reference number 01795343.
Pep Guardiola’s glorious spell at Manchester City looks to be coming to an end in familiar fashion
Pep Guardiola’s gave brutally honest reasons for leaving his previous clubs amid his impending departure from Manchester City.
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Following a trophy-laden 10 years in charge, Sunday’s final-day encounter against Aston Villa is set to be his last at the helm. Guardiola’s tenure at City exceeds his combined periods with Barcelona and Bayern Munich. He spent four years managing Barca before taking a year’s sabbatical.
Upon returning to management, he oversaw Bayern from 2013 to 2016. While departing Barca, the club with which he is inextricably linked, proved difficult, Guardiola provided a straightforward justification, saying: “I felt as if I could no longer lift the team.”
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In the interview with Audi in 2014, he added: “We were incredibly successful. Winning 14 trophies in only four years was the greatest period in the club’s history. But gradually, I found it more and more difficult to motivate myself and to motivate the team. That is when you know it is time to walk away.”
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He also departed Bayern amicably, candidly acknowledging that he didn’t extend his contract with the German powerhouse because he wished to challenge himself in English football.
After announcing his decision to leave Bavaria, he said: “I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England. That is the reason I have taken this decision.
“If I were 60, 65 years old, I’d stick with Bayern, but I think I’m too young. I need a new challenge. My career is a long way from over and when I have a new club it will be the club that makes the announcement.”
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Earlier that season, Guardiola had apologised to Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who revealed: “At the Christmas party, he came to me, he told me that he was looking for a new challenge and almost apologised. It was clearly difficult for him, I’m not disappointed in him.”
Guardiola, who has previously indicated an interest in international management, may once again find himself needing a fresh challenge after a decade at City.
“Three, four seasons ago, when there was one year left, the first thing you have to understand, I should talk with my chairman first.
“And when I talk with my chairman, we (may) decide to have one more year, we will talk (about) everything and we will decide. We (will) talk in the next days.”
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
The new LegoBatman game launches very soon, so here’s how and where to get the best pre-order deals and even start playing right this second.
Traveller’s Tales used to be able to pump out new Lego video games every year, but even they’ve been affected by the need for lengthier development times on big budget games.
Aside from being a very solid Lego game, it’s also the next best thing to a new Batman: Arkham game. So, if you’ve yet to secure a copy, here’s a breakdown on the best places to buy it ahead of launch.
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When does Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight launch?
Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight is scheduled to launch on Friday, May 22 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
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There are plans for a Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game as well, but while pre-orders for it are available at retailers, it currently lacks a release window.
Is there early access for Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight?
Yes, it is possible to play Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight right now through an early access period. However, this is only available to you if you pre-order the more expensive deluxe edition.
What is included in the deluxe edition of Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight?
Aside from the base game and early access, the deluxe edition of Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight comes with something called the Legacy Collection, which is three DLC packs rolled in one.
The Arkham Trilogy pack, the Party Music pack, and the Batman Beyond pack each contain seven extra suits (one for each of the game’s playable characters), plus a new Batmobile and five Batcave props.
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You’ll also receive the Mayhem Collection, which doesn’t become available until September, but includes a new story mission that lets you play as the Joker and Harley Quinn. Plus, a Sinister pack that throws in another seven suits, one Batmobile, and five Batcave props.
What are the best pre-order deals for Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight?
The standard edition of Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight retails for £59.99 digitally on both consoles and PC, but you can buy a physical copy for less than that.
Amazon and Very are the best places to buy from since they’re selling physical copies for £45.99. Alternatively, Hit is selling the game for a smidge less at £45.85.
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As for the deluxe edition, it’s being sold for £79.99 digitally, but you can buy it from Amazon, Very, Argos, or Smyths at a reduced price of £61.99 or from Hit for £61.85.
Pre-ordering either the standard or deluxe edition also nets you an additional suit for Batman based on his appearance in the 1980s comic book The Dark Knight Returns.
Which movies is Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight based on?
Unlike Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, which simply adapted all nine of the mainline Star Wars movies, Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight is an amalgamation of various Batman media.
While it does adapt elements from the live action movies, such as the original 1989 Tim Burton movie and the more recent The Batman from 2022, it also draws from the original comics, the 90s cartoon, and other Batman video games to craft its own story.
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Does Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight have multiplayer?
Yes, the entirety of Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight can be played in co-op with two players. However, there is no support for online co-op so only local co-op is available.
Other playable characters include Catwoman and Robin (Warner Bros. Games)
Wales is set to bask in glorious temperatures during the bank holiday weekend
The threshold needed to officially declare a heatwave could be met with one part of Wales forecast to see highs of 30C over the bank holiday weekend. It could result in some of the highest temperatures recorded in the UK in May in over a decade.
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A heatwave is officially defined as three consecutive days at or above a set temperature. The deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, Greg Wolverson, said it’s likely this will be reached in parts of the UK from Sunday.
The Met Office forecasts “an exceptional spell of warmth for May”, and has said the heatwave criteria could be met for some. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here.
It says that despite a colder few weeks, this week will get progressively hotter as it goes on, with a warmer Thursday and Friday before a scorching weekend. Saturday is forecast to see highs of 23C in Cardiff, rising to 26C and 27C on Sunday and Monday.
It looks set to remain just as hot into the start of next week with Tuesday and Wednesday remaining above 25C.
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The warmer weather will be a relief to many with May having proved to be cooler than normal so far. According to the Met Office, any temperature above 29.4C will be the highest May temperature recorded in the UK since 2012. The all-time May record currently stands at 32.8C.
In Wales, the record for May is 30.6C which was recorded in 1944 but according to the latest forecast Monmouth could come very close to that on Monday.
BBC weatherman Derek Brockway wrote on X: “The definition of a heatwave is based on a threshold which varies across the UK. In Wales, the threshold is at least 3 days in a row with maximum temperatures reaching 25C or more. 26C in SE Wales.
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“The heatwave threshold may be met in places next week! 30C possible in Monmouth!”
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The Met Office outlook for Wales for Thursday to Saturday states it will be “very warm with sunny periods” but warns there could be some thundery showers at times.
Although Saturday and Sunday will be hot, Monday looks set to be the warmest day of the weekend with highs of 27C forecast in Cardiff and 30C expected in Monmouth.
Newtown, Wrexham, and Swansea are also set to see temperatures above 25C before it cools slightly at the end of next week.
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Greg Wolverson added: “A very warm period of weather will develop through the weekend and into next week for much of the UK.
“High pressure will be in charge of the UK’s weather over the bank holiday weekend and this should bring fine and settled conditions to most areas. The exception will be parts of northwestern Scotland where it will be cooler and cloudier with some rain at times. There is also a small risk of some thunder in the south late on Friday into Saturday.”
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Katie Price’s husband Lee Andrews’ ex-girlfriend Alana Percival has claimed she has received ‘threatening’ messages at 2 o’clock in the morning from ‘someone connected to him’
Katie Price’s husband Lee Andrews’ has been missing and reportedly ‘kidnapped’, and in the latest update to the ongoing saga, his ex-girlfriend has claimed she has received some worrying messages.
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“Last night I received a DM from someone very well connected to the ongoing Lee Andrews situation,” Alana claimed on her Instagram Story. “The message contained subtle undertones that I interpreted as threatening, implying that if Lee Andrews were to harm himself, somehow that responsibility would fall on me.”
Since his disappearance, Alana has spoken out claiming that he is playing “sick games” and also pulled similar airport stunts with her while they were together. She revealed that she has been warned off continuing to “speak out” about Lee, but wanted to respond, and continue to speak out to help other women.
“There were also suggestions that I should stop speaking out, delete things from my phone, and stay quiet because this is now ‘a police matter.’ So let me respond publicly.
If everything that has been exposed about my personal life helps even one woman recognise red flags, leave an unhealthy situation, or avoid ending up in one like I did, then every bit of stress, scrutiny, and intrusion into my life will have been worth it.”
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Alana went on to add: “When all of this first started, I knew had a choice: stay quiet, or speak up for women who either don’t yet realise the situation they’re in or don’t feel they have a voice.
“I chose to speak up, and I will continue to highlight harmful behaviour in the hope it protects someone else. And finally – I would appreciate people not sending subtly threatening messages to me at 2am.”
The kidnapping saga began when Katie was forced to appear on Good Morning Britain on her own, after Lee claimed that he was stuck at Muscat airport in Dubai. Alana has revealed that when she was with Lee he often would stand her up after claiming to be at the airport.
Alana shared videos Lee sent her, where he claimed he was about to board a flight to the UK but was unable to because of a “flight risk”. In a video she shared, he was picking up his bags and said: “I’m going to check out now, Oman Air, get my refund issued. I’m going to check Oman Air and Virgin and British Airways, OK. And I will call you later.
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“Terminal 2 is where Oman Air is so I am going to go and line now, just while they issue my refund, that just takes one minute. It’s just the desk behind me in there. I am at the business section. I just came outside because I was using words like flight risk and so on. I love you. I’ll sort it, OK.”
Over the top of the video, Alana wrote: “Another time he ‘pretended’ to be coming to the UK to come and see me. Wearing his cap so facial recognition doesn’t get him. Hahaha. More lies, lies and more lies.
“Delusional is an understatement. This excuse is one of sooo many but a flight risk if this one. He went all the way to the airport to lie when he cannot travel, lol.” Lee has insisted that he is free to travel.
The police were able to recover a range of suspected stolen items.
Six men have been charged after targeted police action to tackle organised burglary and theft across several counties. Cambridgeshire Police have been working with Norfolk Constabulary to carry out four simultaneous warrants in Cottenham and its surrounding areas in May as part of an ongoing investigation.
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Officers from the Acquisitive Crime Team, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, the Rural Crime Action Team and other specialist units arrested nine people in connection with burglary and firearms offences. This was following on from an earlier warrant where the team found multiple stolen items.
The items included a caravan and jewellery. Six people were arrested in connection to firearms and burglary offences.
Six men have since been charged with conspiracy to commit dwelling burglary and conspiracy to commit theft offences committed across counties including Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Kent between December 2025 and May 2026.
Those charged are:
Michael Wall, 25, of Water Lane, Cottenham
Patrick Wall, 22, of Hampstead Lane, Nettlestead, Maidstone
Kevin Wall, 23, of Water Lane, Cottenham
Patrick Boswell, 34, of Eagle Way, Northstowe
Daniel Sheridan, 43, of Water Lane, Cottenham
Richard Wall, 25, of Waddelow Road, Waterbeach
Richard Wall was also charged with three counts of assault on an emergency worker. Officers recovered more suspected stolen items such as firearms and ammunition, vehicles, and plant equipment.
Detective Inspector Alice Draper, from the Acquisitive Crime Team, said: “This activity has enabled us to disrupt organised criminality and remove suspected stolen property from circulation.
“We understand the significant impact these offences have on communities and want to reassure the public that criminal behaviour will be robustly dealt with.”
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“How many other children out there are being left in danger right now?”
16:40, 20 May 2026Updated 16:43, 20 May 2026
Scotland faces calls for a child protection overhaul after a report highlighted how a monstrous paedophile ring was allowed to wreck young lives for years. MSP Paul Sweeney slammed the social work operation in Glasgow after the “Beastie House” abusers were enabled to reign at a filthy flat in the city, despite 25 glaring opportunities for meaningful intervention.
He has called for “real accountability” for the many decisions that led to effective blindness to the most serious harms being inflicted on three defenceless kids. And the Children First charity is now asking if the nation’s child protection system is fit for purpose, given the way children were failed.
Sweeney was shocked at the revelations that showed the victims were being closely monitored by social workers during all the years they were raped and tortured. But the kids were allowed to remain in their dire homes – where they were systematically and inhumanly abused and shared out among the vile group.
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The care system designated to help them somehow failed to escalate their cases to bring removal from their abusers. Sweeney said the independent report, commissioned by Glasgow’s Child Protection Committee, should signal a shake-up that challenges the accounts and excuses given by adults suspected of abuse.
He said: “This harrowing report lays bare a catastrophic, systemic failure of child protection in Glasgow. To think that there were 25 missed opportunities to rescue these vulnerable children over 16 years is a devastating indictment that must shake our public services to the very core.
“The system completely failed in its most fundamental duty: to listen to, protect, and defend the three children from these seven beasts who were hiding in plain sight.“ The MSP said the findings should not be regarded as historic errors or allowed them to be “brushed off” with hollow promises of “lessons learned”.
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He added: “There must be real accountability for the institutional blindness that allowed this horrific abuse to persist for so long. How many other children out there are being left in danger right now?
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“We need to know exactly why these red flags were repeatedly ignored, why agencies failed to communicate, and who is being held responsible for these potentially fatal lapses in judgement.”
Drug addicts Iain Owens, 46, Elaine Lannery, 40, Lesley Williams, 43, Paul Brannan, 42, Scott Forbes, 51, Barry Watson, 48, and John Clark, 48, were all found guilty of monstrous abuse, including rape, following a harrowing trial at the High Court in Glasgow in 2023.
The Daily Record revealed the “learning review” documented many glaring red flags that would indicate a high risk of abuse. Attacks on children were allowed to escalate for 16 years between the birth of one victim in 2007 and the jailing of the gang of seven for a total of 93 years in 2023.
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Children at the centre of the case were known to authorities from infancy. Agencies were visiting on a weekly, sometimes daily basis but critical information was not meaningfully analysed and shared. Kids were repeatedly kept off the Child Protection Register, despite missing school presenting with chronic headlice and begging food from people living near the dingy flat where they lived in Govan.
Primary school-age children were made to eat dog food and abuse each other while molesters egged them on. One child was put in a microwave and a locked fridge and freezer. But social workers repeatedly suggested they had warm and loving interactions with adults who were caring for them
Colin Anderson, independent chair of Glasgow’s Child Protection Committee, admitted the case was the worst he had encountered in 50 years. And he said the learnings from it may lead to an overhaul of a system that can incidentally facilitate the prolonging of abuse – even when kids are subjected to drug abuse, neglect and violence.
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The “keystone” concern identified in the report is to listen to children – both in what they say and the non-verbal language that should have screamed of abuse to the many professionals who downplayed the risks or looked the other way. Despite the severity of the case, Mr Anderson said he could not guarantee such failings may not happen again.
He said: “There was a culture whereby rather than focusing on the children rather than listening to the children taking evidence from the children that they listened to the adults, that’s something that rang right across this report.”
Mr Anderson said protection strategies like Scotland’s GIRFEC (Getting It Right For Every Child) and The Promise had helped many kids – but admitted the children in this case were appallingly failed. Horrors that emerged from the review include a four-month-old child being removed from the child protection register in 2007 despite a health visitor warning of “significant” ongoing risks.
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The damning report listed 13 “practice and organisational learnings” – demanding that more focus is placed on the words and demeanour of children. The report states the re-referral of children to Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration in 2019, demonstrated a prompt and effective of the legal framework.
But it adds that a decision not to refer in 2018 was “seriously flawed”, given it came after “concerns about the children being dirty and having headlice and being late or absent from school.” Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Scottish charity Children First said: “Child protection work is complex and the consequences of getting it wrong are devastating.
“It takes significant time, expertise and resources to get it right. We have to ask ourselves if we have a child protection system that is fit for purpose and if we are prepared to invest properly in what it takes to keep children safe?”
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Glasgow said much of what is highlighted in the report, commissioned by Glasgow City Council, has been flagged in similar reviews, over decades. She added: “As this review emphasises, too often professionals and services focus on the adults and overlook the needs and rights of the children. Professionals must be curious, vigilant and inquisitive when worried about a child’s behaviour, whatever it looks like.
“Behaviour should never be interpreted as ‘bad’ but seen for what it is – an indicator that something is wrong.”
An NSPCC Scotland spokesperson said the report highlights the “critical importance” of professional curiosity and scrutiny – rather than being fobbed off by the lies of abusive adults.
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The spokesperson said: “It is utterly heartbreaking that the children were subjected to such appalling abuse over such a prolonged period. While those convicted of these crimes are responsible for their actions, it is devastating that these children were not protected by others involved in their lives.
“This review highlights the critical importance of professional curiosity and scrutiny. It underlines the need for professionals to ask probing questions, not to take things at face value, share and connect information effectively, and carry out robust assessments to fully understand the impact of adult behaviour on children.”
The spokesperson said focus must remain on the child – speaking and listening to them, recognising signs of distress, and understanding what their behaviour and physical presentation may be telling us. They added: “There is significant learning for all agencies and organisations from this case, and at the NSPCC we are committed to taking the time to fully consider the report and its recommendations.”
Glasgow City Council stated an improvement plan is being worked in, which will focus on listening to children – both verbally and non verbally. The Scottish Government has been asked to comment.
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Mohammed Fahir Amaaz and Muhammad Amaad were both on trial accused of assaulting PC Zachary Marsden
16:30, 20 May 2026Updated 16:36, 20 May 2026
The jury in the re-trial of two brothers accused of assaulting an armed police officer at Manchester Airport has been discharged after they failed to reach verdicts.
Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, were both on trial accused of assaulting PC Zachary Marsden. They denied the single charge and claimed they were acting in self-defence.
Mr Amaaz was previously convicted of assaulting two police officers and a member of the public in the same incident, trial jurors heard. Mr Amaaz and Mr Amaad were accused of assaulting PC Marsden, occasioning him actual bodily harm.
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On Wednesday (May 20), jurors said they could not agree on any verdicts in respect of either of the defendants after deliberating for around 19 hours and 48 minutes, and after being told they could reach majority verdicts.
Prosecutors asked the judge for time to consider their position and to decide whether they will seek another re-trial.
Judge Flewitt told jurors: “You are, as I’m sure you’re aware, not the first jury to consider the case. You are not the first jury to fail to reach a verdict in relation to this particular count. I don’t want you to feel in any way you have failed.
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“The prosecution will now consider their position and decide whether they want to ask me to have a further trial, which will be unusual but not unknown.”
The trial at Liverpool Crown Court heard the siblings, both of Tarnside Close, Rochdale, had earlier attended the airport to pick up their mother. Mr Amaaz assaulted a man named Abdulkareem Ismaeil in a branch of Starbucks at the airport, after his mother had ‘some form of disagreement’ with Mr Ismaeil on a flight back to the UK from Pakistan via Qatar. Mr Amaaz has claimed his mother was racially abused by Mr Ismaeil on the flight.
Mr Amaaz then assaulted two police officers in a pay station at terminal two, after they were called following the incident on July 23, 2024.
At a previous trial last year, Mr Amaaz was convicted of assaulting Mr Ismaeil in Starbucks, and of assaulting two female police officers, PC Ellie Cook and PC Lydia Ward. Unarmed officer PC Ward was left in tears after breaking her nose and bleeding ‘profusely’.
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PC Cook suffered ‘relatively minor injuries’. PC Marsden was said to have suffered a ‘post-concussion syndrome’, which is said to have included a ‘severe headache for three days’, and episodes of ‘dizziness’ and ‘forgetfulness,’ and difficulties in talking and also bruising and swelling.
During the fracas, PC Marsden kicked Mr Amaaz to the face and brought his foot down to his head in a ‘stamping motion’, the court heard.
Giving evidence in his defence, Mr Amaaz said thought he could end up ‘dead’ when he was ‘grabbed’ by PC Marsden during the incident. “I was thinking ‘why is this guy using so much force?’,” he said. “The way he was grabbing my neck, I thought ‘this guy forces me down to the ground he is going to beat me, he’s going to beat me to the point I can’t breathe and I am dead’.”
Mr Amaad denied acting ‘offensively’ towards PC Marsden and said he believed he was under attack. Mr Amaad said that when he saw PC Marsden’s gun he raised his arms and put his hands on his head.
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“I just thought ‘I don’t want to die today, I don’t want to get shot’,” Mr Amaad told the court.
A spokesperson for Parklands High School, on Southport Road, has issued a statement following the incident which saw an “immediate evacuation”,
Police attended the scene and conducted a thorough assessment, later confirming there was no credible risk to students or staff, the school has confirmed.
The bomb scare disrupted Year 11 examinations and a “full report will be sent to the exam board” so that today’s disruption is taken into consideration for all affected students.
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It has been confirmed that the school will open as normal tomorrow.
A spokesman for Parklands High School said: “We have dealt with a challenging situation at school today. Please be assured that throughout the incident, our absolute priority was the safety and well-being of your children.
“You may have seen reports in the media regarding a bomb threat email received by the school. In line with our safety procedures, we initiated an immediate evacuation and contacted the police.
“The police attended the scene, thoroughly assessed the situation, and have formally assured us that this was a non-credible threat and there was no risk to pupils and staff. The school building has since been fully secured for the night.
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“We understand many students had to leave their personal property behind during the evacuation. Please be assured that all belongings are safe inside the building and will be available for collection when the school opens at 8.15 AM tomorrow.
“We successfully implemented our contingency plans for Year 11 students sitting their exams today. We extend our sincere thanks to St Michael’s and Southlands for their swift assistance and support. Please be assured that a full report will be sent to the exam board so that today’s disruption is taken into consideration for all affected students.
“The English Language exam will take place as normal tomorrow. To ensure students feel settled and supported, members of the English department will be available before school tomorrow morning for any additional reassurance or support required.
“School will be open as normal tomorrow.
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“Every decision made today was done so with the best interests of our pupils and staff at heart. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support.”
In an update issued at around 12pm, the school said: “Due to the fire alarm being triggered in school we are unfortunately asking that parents/carers please collect their child from school as soon as possible for safeguarding purposes, or allowing their child to walk home.
“As we have had to leave the building immediately, pupils will have to leave their possessions in school overnight. As there are GCSE exams taking place, Year 11 are to remain. More information will be sent in due course.Please accept our apologies but it is circumstances out of our control. Any issues please email houseleaders@ or message this page as we have no access to the building ourselves.”
Lancashire Police has been approached for comment.
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