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Six Nations 2026: Five talking points from the opening round

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Gregor Townsend, Wales' Adam Beard and England wing Henry Arundell

That England visit comes at a crucial time for Scotland and their coach Gregor Townsend.

He came into the tournament courted by Newcastle Red Bulls and with question marks over his commitment to the cause.

A tame display in some horrendous weather in Rome as Italy picked up a famous 18-15 win has left some calling for a change.

Former Scotland forward John Barclay told Rugby Special: “I thought before the Six Nations that Scotland had to finish third or above.

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“If they don’t, which is now going to be very hard, I think it becomes a necessity to see a change.

“It’s a good group of players and if you are not seeing an improvement there is an option for change. That might be the best thing for Gregor and for Scotland.”

The conditions made the going tough, but it was Scotland’s heart, not hands, that were questioned.

“Italy were more aggressive and that’s down to desire, not the rain,” former Scotland and British and Irish Lions prop Peter Wright told BBC Scotland.

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“Townsend is an experienced coach and should have known they couldn’t play the rugby they wanted to play in those conditions. Scotland lost the war in the set-pieces.”

The defeat was a fifth away loss in a row in the Six Nations for Scotland and their beleaguered coach.

Before the match, Townsend – who is contracted as head coach until the end of the 2027 World Cup – dismissed a report that he has agreed to take over at Newcastle Red Bulls after the World Cup as “pure speculation”.

More displays like this may make that contract end date a moot point. Scotland need to dig deep and find another level of performance against England.

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Expect recalls for Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham to provide energy and – Scotland will hope – ammunition.

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Northumberland brothers to pitch AI cat flap on Dragons’ Den

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Northumberland brothers to pitch AI cat flap on Dragons' Den

Martin and Tomas Rosinski, co-founders of OnlyCat, will appear on the BBC One show on Thursday, February 12, to present their smart pet product to Dragons Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Steven Bartlett and Susie Ma.

Their product is designed to use AI to detect and prevent cats from bringing prey into the home.

Martin and Tomas Rosinski, co-founders of OnlyCat (Image: OnlyCat)

Martin Rosinski, co-founder of OnlyCat, said: “Jinx is brilliant – but like many cats, she had a habit of proudly bringing home things we didn’t want brought in.

“That was the spark.

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“We wanted to solve a real, everyday problem for cat owners in a way that was smart, practical, and genuinely life-improving.”

The OnlyCat flap includes an AI camera that scans each time a cat tries to enter.

If prey is detected, the flap remains locked and the owner can receive a video alert.

It also features microchip-based access control, allowing users to decide which cats can come and go.

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Tom Rosinski, co-founder of OnlyCat, said: “Our goal was simple: keep the freedom cats love, while giving owners back control at the front door.

“OnlyCat is already the fastest-growing startup we’ve ever built.

“We wanted to solve a real, everyday problem for cat owners” (Image: OnlyCat)

“We’re building an incredible team, we’re seeing phenomenal feedback from customers, and demand is growing rapidly.”

The business launched through crowdfunding and has since generated more than £2 million in revenue.

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The company now manufactures in the UK and ships its products worldwide.

Martin and Tomas are now supported by a senior management team, as well as engineers, designers, and software specialists.

Customer reviews have described OnlyCat as “life-changing” and “worth every penny.”

On Dragons’ Den, the brothers say they will seek investment to boost manufacturing, grow international sales, and take the business to its next stage.

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The outcome of their pitch remains under wraps until the episode airs.

Dragons’ Den viewers can tune in to BBC One or BBC iPlayer at 8:00pm on Thursday, February 12 to see whether the Rosinski brothers secure investment.

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BBC Breakfast shares heartbreaking news as guest’s toddler almost dies after diagnosis

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Daily Mirror

The parents, whose son was diagnosed with leukaemia at just 17 months old, shared their story on the BBC show on Monday (February 9)

A dad was emotional on BBC Breakfast as he told how his toddler was diagnosed with leukaemia and almost died. Andy Hines spoke out as part of a report into the former Corby steel works in Northamptonshire, which many people believe caused birth defects and childhood cancers in the area. Its story was told in the Netflix show Toxic Town last year.

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He appeared on the BBC programme on Monday (February 9) alongside his son Fraser’s mum, Alison Gaffney, who said: “Never found anger through any of this. Just hurt.”

Speaking on the show, which was hosted by Sally Nugent and Jon Kay, she said: “Our consultant just said, ‘We’re dealing with something we’ve never dealt with before. We’ve done testing, and it’s showing a really rare form of this cancer with gene rearrangements.”

“To hear your consultant say that about your son, you just break,” said Andy.

Fraser was diagnosed at 17 months, and he is now nine, but the report said he “nearly died”.

“His life expectancy is shortened because he’s had a transplant and he’s at high risk of a secondary cancer,” said Alison.

“The amount of people we know personally that have kids with cancer, this is not normal,” said Andy.

The BBC Breakfast report said: “In its heyday, Corby steel works was the biggest in Europe. Following its closure in 1980, a huge dismantling operation got underway, which sent polluting clouds into the atmosphere… A number of babies in the area were born with abnormalities.”

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It continued: “In 2009, the High Court agreed with claims that Corby Borough Council had been negligent with the clean-up of the steelworks and that there could be a link with birth defects in the area. It was a landmark case.”

The 2009 High Court case focused on limb deformities in babies potentially caused by hazardous airborne dust. Alison, Andy, and other families’ concerns are focused on where the waste was buried and whether there is a link to childhood cancer.

Corby Borough Council was abolished in 2021 and replaced by North Northamptonshire Council. Last month, they published two sets of findings on childhood cancer rates following requests by families.

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They found that childhood cancer rates in Corby were no higher than elsewhere in England. The council said: “We approached this analysis with seriousness and sensitivity, ensuring the most robust methods were used and that the work was independently reviewed. The findings provide reassurance that childhood cancer rates in Corby are not higher than expected.”

Families have asked to see the raw data used to come to this conclusion. But the council has not released it, citing strict and important data protection rules.

Lawyer Des Collins, who represented families at the High Court in 2009, said: “The only way to address it, in my view, is for there to be a full statutory public employment to determine precisely what happened to this waste. Where it is, whether it can be located at the moment, whether it should be dug up at the moment. And finally, is it causing any health problems?”

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BBC Breakfast’s reporter explained: “Public inquiries can only be initiated by the government. In a statement, North Northamptonshire Council said: “Our records, originally held by Corby Borough Council, do not show the movement of waste to sites other than Deene Quarry. We were made aware of a document last week that indicates some waste may have been moved to another location. And we are currently considering that information.

“At this point in time, this council does not consider that the threshold has been met to call upon the government for a public inquiry.”

BBC Breakfast airs on BBC One from 6am.

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Katie Price says ‘I’m not stupid’ as she responds to surprise wedding to fourth husband

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Manchester Evening News

The former glamour model tied the knot with businessman Lee Andrews in Dubai last month

Katie Price has defended her decision to marry her new husband, Lee Andrews, as she told her fans she’s ‘not stupid’. The former glamour model tied the knot with the businessman in Dubai last month after a whirlwind romance.

Katie has tied the knot just months after she split from her former partner JJ Slater. She confirmed that she and Lee had married on January 25, only days after flying out to Dubai to meet him for the first time.

But now, Katie has spoken out amid concerns about her new spouse’s background. Packing her bags to visit Lee in the Middle East, the 47-year-old said in her latest YouTube video: “I’m going back to Dubai, obviously going back to see Lee. I’ve made no comments about anything, I don’t feel I need to comment about anything.

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“I’m fully aware like everyone else, I see stuff, I get sent stuff. What I want everyone to know is, I’m a grown a*** woman. I’m 48 this year, I’m not a young kid. I’ve learned a lot in the past few years, through therapy and learning to love myself. So I’m not stupid, I know what I’m doing and if I’m happy that’s all that matters.”

The star continued: “At the end of the day, no one knows what I know. It’s only been speculated by the press. I am very happy and that’s all that matters. That happy I’m going back to Dubai for the weekend. So I can’t wait.”

Katie implored her fans not to be concerned about her decision to marry for the fourth time. She said: “If there’s anything to update you on, I would always update you all. But I just want people to not worry.

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“I’m not worried, so you don’t need to worry about anything. Like I say, I will do what I want to do. But I want everyone to know you don’t need to worry, I’m really happy, there’s nothing to worry about. That’s all I need to address on that.”

Katie explained how she married Lee “at first sight”, with the couple exchanging vows just days after meeting in Dubai. She told The Sun newspaper: “How I met Lee was esoteric; we connected [by] both checking each others’ socials and quickly realised: ‘Wow, this is for me’.

“In the old-fashioned way, first by words which captured us both. That evolved deeper as we connected further within days [getting] matching tattoos, and then both deciding to buy rings for the other. All this without even meeting, we let fate, but you could say destiny, decide.”

She added: “I’m just so happy with my person that is just as happy as I am. What we have, they haven’t even invented the words. He has now the best version of me which can only grow more, knowing we are each others’. On the wedding, all I can say is ‘fatale’, and this was a wedding at First Sight.”

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Nancy Guthrie: How social media detectives are helping and hindering search for Savannah’s mother

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Nancy Guthrie: How social media detectives are helping and hindering search for Savannah’s mother

Social media has been discussing the apparent abduction of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother ever since news broke.

Influencers relayed the timeline from the hours after Nancy Guthrie was last seen and posted photos of the blood found on her front porch that later was a match for the 84-year-old grandmother.

Others called out individuals connected to the case as looking “sus” or filmed themselves walking through her neighborhood to help find her.

The desperate search for Guthrie, who authorities believe was taken a week ago against her will from her home just outside Tucson, Arizona, has become the latest investigation to pique the widespread interest of online armchair detectives.

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As the search continues with no suspects or persons of interest, posts across Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook and YouTube have put millions of eyeballs on tips and theories surrounding her disappearance.

But they’ve also helped to amplify rumors and forced law enforcement to repeatedly set the record straight on at least one crucial detail.

Michael Alcazar, adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and retired New York Police Department detective, said overall the positives outweigh the negatives when it comes to the onslaught of social media posts.

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE-MADRE DESAPARECIDA-REDES SOCIALES

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SAVANNAH GUTHRIE-MADRE DESAPARECIDA-REDES SOCIALES (AP)

“More people are aware; It keeps people alert,” he said. “If they know she hasn’t been found yet, perhaps people will remember that and if they see something, they might say something.”

He compared it to the widespread online response to the disappearance and death of Gabby Petito in 2021 and the impact that may have had on her body being found.

Two YouTubers said at the time that an image they posted showed Petito and her boyfriend’s white van and that it led investigators to the area where her body was found. But the FBI didn’t specify what led to the discovery.

“I think it’s just something that we have to adapt to as far as law enforcement,” Alcazar said. “The true crime community is growing. … There’s a lot of people out there that want to help.”

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But with the widespread posts also comes the proliferation of misinformation.

Ashleigh Banfield, from the cable network NewsNation, announced on her podcast Wednesday that a law enforcement source told her a Guthrie family member is the prime suspect.

She seemed to quickly walk back the statement seconds later, saying the person “may be a prime suspect,” and adding that family members are often looked at first. The information quickly took off across social media, with people posting photos of the person she named.

Savannah Guthrie (right) with her mother Nancy (left)

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Savannah Guthrie (right) with her mother Nancy (left) (NBCUniversal Media)

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed the rumor early in a news conference Thursday, saying authorities don’t have any suspects or persons of interest. That remained the case on Friday.

“I plead with you to be careful of what it is we put out there. … You could actually be doing some damage to the case, you could do some damage to the individual, too,” he said later in the news conference. “Social media’s kind of an ugly world sometimes.”

Other posts have included a medium expressing her feeling that Guthrie is close by and a woman using astrology to point her viewers in the direction of what may have happened.

Calvin Chrustie, who has more than three decades of experience in negotiations for kidnapping, ransom and extortions, said if the public truly understood the toll those situations can have on family and law enforcement, they might not hastily post unsubstantiated information.

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“This stuff on X and other stuff out there that’s pure speculation is actually making it more difficult for the families and making it more difficult to the police to secure the safe, you know, the safe return of the hostage,” he said.

The home of Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, is seen from above in Tucson, Arizona

The home of Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, is seen from above in Tucson, Arizona (Associated Press)

Julie Urquhart, an elementary school teacher in New Brunswick, Canada, has been posting about the case on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. She said she was drawn to the disappearance because she has a mother near Guthrie’s age and was fascinated that someone could have taken her seemingly without a trace.

Urquhart said her information comes from national news sites and law enforcement news conferences. One of her posts on TikTok and Instagram amassed more 4 million views, she said.

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“That’s 4 million eyes that now saw that story and now maybe will see something or know something or know someone who does,” she said. “There’s just so many people it hits.”

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Don’t launch coup against Starmer, minister pleads with mutinous Labour MPs after Morgan McSweeney quits

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Don't launch coup against Starmer, minister pleads with mutinous Labour MPs after Morgan McSweeney quits

“One of the mistakes of previous governments, that it’s pretty important that this Labour government doesn’t fall into, is the sort of focus on infighting, believing that constant changing of leaders is going to solve some of the very difficult problems that this country and in fact, the world faces,” she told Times Radio.

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GMP urge Horwich residents and visitors to park responsibly

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GMP urge Horwich residents and visitors to park responsibly

GMP Bolton shared on social media their Bolton West team had to issue a number of traffic offence reports yesterday, Saturday, February 7.

The post said the reports were issued for poor parking in the Horwich area, and police tend to see this increase in this type of parking at weekends and on match days.

Photos shared along with the post show cars parked along pavements.

They are working with residents, councillors and Bolton Wanderers in the community to tackle the issue (Image: GMP Bolton)

They asked residents and visitors to the area to park safely and ensure they are not blocking pavements, driveways or parking on junctions.

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The post read: “HORWICH – The Bolton West team have today had to issue a number of traffic offence reports for poor parking in the Horwich area.

“We see an increase in this type of parking at weekends and on match days. The Bolton West team works with our residents, councillors and Bolton Wanderers in the community to tackle the issue of unsafe parking.

“We urge residents and visitors to the area to park responsibly, not blocking pavements, driveways or parking on junctions.”

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‘Extraordinary’ job opportunity to work in Scottish Highlands with accommodation

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Daily Record

Kylesku Lodges in the remote Sutherland region of the Highlands is seeking a housekeeper to join the team from March until October this year.

A conservation charity is offering an “extraordinary” opportunity to live and work in one of Scotland’s most remote and stunning locations, surrounded by nature “in every direction”. The John Muir Trust, which is dedicated to protecting wild places across the country, is seeking a seasonal housekeeper for its Kylesku Lodges in the Sutherland region of the Highlands.

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The lodges, located near the iconic Kylesku Bridge, sit in what is considered one of Europe’s most sparsely populated areas. Charity bosses are looking for someone to join their team from March until October this year in the one-of-a-kind role, providing care and maintenance for the lodges while enjoying the unique tranquillity of the Highlands.

The successful candidate will live in a renovated static caravan on site, which comes equipped with high-speed WiFi. This means that even while immersed in the wilderness, there is the ability to stay connected for personal or professional needs.

The lodges sit on 45 acres of land owned by the John Muir Trust. Additionally the lodges overlook the peaceful Loch a’ Chairn Bhain and offer breathtaking views of Quinag, a striking three-peaked mountain which the charity cares for – with beauty right on your door step.

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The area is rich in wildlife and natural beauty, with expansive lochs, climb-able mountains and stunning forests surrounding the lodges. The charity also works closely with neighbouring communities to boost the local economy while protecting the delicate ecosystems in the region.

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The role itself involves looking after ten lodges alongside lodge manager Karen Vickers. While weekend work is required, weekday shifts are lighter, offering a balance between responsibility and time to enjoy the scenery.

Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to their own vehicle, as the remote location requires mobility.

Karen Vickers spoke about the appeal of the role, saying: “Kylesku is one of those places that stays with you. When the wind drops, the silence is extraordinary and you’re surrounded by mountains, sea lochs and wildlife in every direction.

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“For someone looking to step away from the noise for a season, this role offers a rare chance to slow down, be part of a small, welcoming team and live in a truly special part of the Highlands.

“The added bonus is knowing your work supports the John Muir Trust’s efforts to care for wild places and the communities around them.”

For those seeking a change from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, this position offers a rare chance to combine practical work with a deep connection to nature.

For those interested in the role, extra information can be found on the official website for the Kylesku Lodges. You can access the website by clicking here.

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Crest Nicholson plan for 70 new homes in Wilberfoss approved

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Crest Nicholson plan for 70 new homes in Wilberfoss approved

East Riding of Yorkshire Council approved an application from housebuilder Crest Nicholson for the proposed development for 2.45 Hectares of agricultural land north of Main Street in Wilberfoss, on January 30 – the village is eight miles east of York just off the A1079.

The developer said “the proposed layout will create a distinctive high quality residential development which is sympathetically designed to respect the surrounding built and natural environment.”

However, Wilberfoss Parish Council said it could not support plans for the development at the western end of the village, raising concerns in its role as consultees over plans to add a new junction on Main Street and its impact on the safety of access for traffic flows to the busy A1079 York to Hull Road.

The development would feature a new access road close to one corner of Main Street in the village (Image: Kevin Glenton)

In planning documents, the council also said developers should contribute to the cost of a new roundabout at the western junction of Wilberfoss.

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Neighbouring Newton upon Derwent Parish Council said the development represented further “creep” in the expansion of Wilberfoss and the impact of traffic at the A1079 junction which is almost opposite one of its main access roads.

Seventeen objections were received from the public, the majority from residents expressing concern over the expected increase in housing, pressure on local schools and healthcare amenities, in addition to increased flooding concerns in nearby Moorfield Way.

The plans include a total of two one-bedroom houses, 18 two-bedroom houses, 33 three-bedroom houses, three four-bedroom houses and 14 five-bedroom houses.

Within this, Crest Nicholson’s plans include a provision of 20 per cent affordable housing in one, two and three bed units.

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Three units are reserved for self-builds and an open space and play area is included in the proposal.

On June 19 last year, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s director of planning and development management recommended to defer and delegate approval of the scheme subject to matters including the securing of developer financial contributions to off-site sports facilities and primary school places, as well as the provision of the self-build plots.

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London travel news LIVE: Major disruption on the DLR due to Poplar signal failure

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London travel news LIVE: Major disruption on the DLR due to Poplar signal failure

A signal failure in the Poplar area has brought the DLR to a partial standstill, with no service operating between Stratford and Canary Wharf, or between Stratford International and Canning Town. On the rest of the line, trains are running with severe delays as engineers work to restore the system.

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Man hurt in Euro 2024 violence outside Haxby Sports Bar

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Man hurt in Euro 2024 violence outside Haxby Sports Bar

Jesse Dear, now 19, smashed a terracotta pot on the ground in the outside area of Haxby Sports Bar during a brawl, said Jessica Noble, prosecuting.

Then he threw shards of the pots, hitting the Good Samaritan on the hand, injuring it so badly, he feared he could lose it.

The man, who works as a postman, had to undergo two hours of surgery to repair his hand, have eight internal stitches and 22 external stitches and doctors have told him at best he will only regain 70 per cent of the use of his fingers.

The postman was trying to prevent a group of girls being hit during the brawl which erupted when the club was full of people watching England play Slovenia in the European Championships in 2024, said Ms Noble.

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In a personal statement the postman said of Dear: “He is immature, violent and a danger to society. He has not learnt from his mistakes. He is clearly an angry and disturbed man.”

He said he had had to give up his postman job, which he had loved.

Dear has previous convictions for affray and assault and had been in court four days before the incident when he was given a youth rehabilitation order. He received another youth rehabilitation order a few months later.

York Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

The Recorder of York, Judge Sean Morris, said to Dear of the postman: “His observations about you in 2024 were spot on.”

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He told Dear: “I would dearly like to lock you up. What you did to that man had a profound impact upon him. The system has let him down.”

Because Dear was 17 when he injured the postman, the judge had to sentence him in a way that a youth court would have sentenced him. “My hands are tied,” the judge said.

He gave him an 18-month community order with 180 hours’ unpaid work and 15 days’ rehabilitative activities.

He warned Dear that if he breached the order by not doing the unpaid work or rehabilitative activities, he would lock him up for 16 months.

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Dear, of Constantine Avenue, Tang Hall, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and affray.

The police and licensing authority insisted on changes at the bar immediately after the brawl. The bar imposed restrictions on who could enter for a time and did not show a later England match.


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The court heard police identified Dear from CCTV of the incident in November 2024 but didn’t send a file to the CPS to decide if he should be prosecuted until February 2025 and he wasn’t charged until the end of 2025.

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Oliver Norman, for Dear, said he had not reoffended since the brawl which happened at a time when he was violent.

“Fortunately, he has been able to move on from that time in his life,” she said.  He was working with rehabilitative organisations to reform himself.

He had left school aged 12 without qualifications and a structure to his life. In 2026, he had a job as a tree surgeon, which was enabling him to live a law-abiding life.

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