Tom Charter has dedicating his life’s work as an artist to honouring them

A man is campaigning for a forgotten hero of the Second World War to be included on the £20 banknote. He claims they are ‘national treasures’ who contribute as much as the King.

Tom Charter has always admired the humble pigeon – even dedicating his life’s work as an artist to honouring Britain’s most polarising birds. So when the 29 year old heard that the Bank of England was gathering the public’s views on what wildlife should feature on the next series of banknotes, Tom felt certain it had to be the pigeon.

Tom specifically believes pigeons’ contribution during World War Two is reason enough of why the birds have earned a place on our banknotes. During the Second World War, birds carried vital messages about troop positions and early news of the D-Day landings. Tom describes the winged creatures as a ‘national treasure’ that have been wrongfully branded as ‘vermin’ despite their valiant efforts 80 years ago.

Currently, the £20 note features artist JMW Turner on the back and a portrait of King Charles III on the front. And Tom believes the common pigeon should take its pride of place on the note alongside the monarch.

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Tom, who lives in Ashford, Kent, said: “I have loved pigeons for a very long time. They’re around us every day and just have little characters about them. They’re just really misunderstood birds and get quite a bad name, and I want to change that. I saw the Bank of England were drawing up a shortlist for the summer for the public to vote on the wildlife they want [on banknotes] and saw people were talking about the beautiful birds like the robin or raven, but thought hang on a minute there’s a bird that lives with us every single day.

“They’re urban wildlife, they still deserve a spot as well. I just straight away thought it has to be a pigeon and it has to be on the £20 note because it’s so perfect.

“Pigeons are war heroes. They saved thousands of British lives in World War Two, yet people treat them like vermin today. We used them then sort of forgot about them as a nation. I think it’s a bird of the people. This would be an appreciation – they deserve it.”

Tom believes Britain’s pigeons are a ‘national treasure’ that deserve pride of place alongside the King on our banknotes. The artist has even launched a petition calling for this, racking up 6,700 signatures in a week.

Tom said: “The King and pigeon have both contributed to society. If you have a pigeon and a king, that’s amazing. That just sums up what Britain is all about. Why not put a pigeon on with the King? I think that’s incredible.

“The support for the petition has been amazing. It just shows they’re a really underappreciated bird. And if you give people the chance, they’ll support the pigeon in numbers. We need to stop this vermin narrative and recognise the animals that live alongside us.

“It’s a way to celebrate the pigeon and what the pigeon has done for us all. I think they’re a national treasure, whether they’re an animal or not.”

To sign the petition, visit here: https://www.change.org/p/put-a-pigeon-on-the-uk-20-banknote

Fans connect, often viscerally, to Wolf’s lyrics, which sit at the messy intersection of love, obsession, self-doubt and empowerment. She pairs them with a dissonant rock-pop sound that’s equal parts Alanis Morissette and Evanescence – a stylistic choice that initially worked against her.

May brings growth, vitality and grounding energy, helping us to plant our feet in the right foundations and put our weight to something meaningful.

The opening of a Full Moon in Scorpio, bringing hidden truths to the surface and asking for emotional honesty, especially around power, trust and what we’re ready to release.

Just days later, Pluto turns retrograde, nudging us into a quieter, internal transformation. This is shadow work territory: subtle, profound, and ultimately empowering.

Mid-month, the New Moon in Taurus offers a welcome reset. After the emotional intensity, we’re invited to slow down, stabilise and focus on what truly sustains us — financially, physically and emotionally.

Then, as Venus moves into Cancer, love softens and connections deepen, so by the time Gemini season begins, the mood lifts.

The month closes with a Full Moon in Sagittarius, reminding us to zoom out, seek meaning, and trust the bigger picture.

Let the tarot guide you through this journey from depth to lightness, from release to renewal. May is going to be fulfilling.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

Tarot cards for Aries for May: The Hierophant, The Chariot, Five of Cups

Meaning: There are two good ways to ‘get over something’, Aries. The Five of Cups shows you’re right at the tail end of that process, feeling like this is the final dark before the new dawn… and you’re right.

First piece of advice comes from The Hierophant — seek to understand the deeper lessons and wisdom from your experience. Enough time has passed that you can examine things more dispassionately and find a fresh angle. There are learnings here that will help and uplift you.

Second piece of advice comes from The Chariot — go on an adventure, a journey, a trip, a quest into the unknown, a change of scene and landscape. New territory = new opportunity. You are ready to branch outside of your current comfort zone, routine and everyday habitat and find new places to grow, roam and enjoy different experiences. Travel changes you. Seek this route.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Tarot cards for Taurus for May: The Magician, Ten of Swords, Six of Cups

Meaning: The past is calling your name… and something is going to return to your life, but not as you once knew it. This will be a reimagined and fit-for-purpose now version.

The Six of Cups is the nostalgia and childhood memory card, or inner child yearnings. Something is nagging at your memory, and is ready to be acknowledged and reinvented. The Magician is your powerful creative side coming to life, as a result of this memory. You realise you always liked or were good at something and this is perhaps the key to your happiness and success now, in the present.

Realising this and activating it enables you to cut ties with a chapter you’ve long since tired of. Maybe this is about changing what you do at work, where you live, your social or leisure time pursuits, your friendship circle, or even your love life. The past holds the answers and the key. Go back to Memory Lane and discover what’s been lost.     

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Tarot cards for Gemini for May: Death, Page of Coins, The Fool

Meaning: You have reached the end stages of a long chapter in your life, as shown by the transitional Death card, and it’s time to embrace a fresh start. This could be linked to anything, but you will know it because the energy is fading, false or turning negative. The ‘good stuff’ has been used up, the natural life cycle is waning.

The Page of Coins hints at this linking to work, wealth, home or health, and also hints that your current priority is to research, study and learn about your next option. There is some homework to be done (good; you love it) so you can plan a shrewd pivot move.

The Fool says that things will be kicking off before the end of Spring- this might involve travel or new technology — but it will all happen, once it starts, quickly and escalate fast. This is a whole new era, and maybe your most successful yet! Be led by your best hopes.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Tarot cards for Cancer for May: Six of Wands, Nine of Coins, Ten of Wands

Meaning: May holds a great deal of good luck for you, so take chances, play bold hands and embrace risky moves — they may well pay off handsomely.

The Six of Wands gifts you with the presence of Lady Luck for all of May and half of June. Right up to your birthday season! And what you pursue here should be for long-term gain. The Nine of Coins asks you to think about the long game, the coming decade, the foundations you can start building now that will last and grow long into the future.

Don’t overdo it, or think that Rome should be built in a day. The Ten of Wands just wants you to make initial moves, put down markers, pitch and apply. This whole project may takes months and years to complete, and that’s okay, you have time. No pressure or rush or stress. Mindful moves in pursuit of something long-term that might require a bit of luck to get it moving (because fortune favours you right now).

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

Tarot cards for Leo for May: Four of Cups, The Hermit, The Emperor

Meaning: We often spend much of our life running away from our true calling or nature. Perhaps trying to be someone else, impress others, compare and copy their best traits whilst suppressing our own worst ones. It’s all pointless — you are who you are, my friend, and Leo you are a born leader!

The Four of Cups asks you to zoom in on your regal, authoritative and powerful side. It’s there! It’s a gift from the cosmos and it’s time to bring it to the foreground and work with it. The Emperor is your tarot talisman or ally at this time. He brings an invitation to mimic and mirror your leadership idols, to make different moves to shift the power dynamics in your relationships and career circles. He wants you to rise, take control, accept ownership.

The Hermit shows this is a period of deep personal growth and transition, shining a light on many things in your past and present, and will take from now until October to fully manifest. A work promotion or even self employment opportunity feels very likely too.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

Tarot cards for Virgo for May: Five of Wands, Queen of Coins, Four of Coins

Meaning: Dissatisfaction is an uncomfortable, sometimes unwelcome, feeling but it serves a great purpose. It directs our focus to what we could change, remove or improve upon to restore a sense of pride and contentment.

Use this feeling as a messenger and guide. The Five of Wands reveals it is calling on you. And it’s likely that this is something linked to work, wealth, home or health as shown by the Queen of Coins, and maybe something you’ve not taken fully accountability for, maybe left for someone else to manage or sort out. But they’re not doing it. Or not doing it to your standard, more likely.

So… the Four of Coins asks you to step in and shake it all up. Don’t just ‘take it back’, try to find a new way forward that uses the best that you each have to offer and tackles this in a totally new way. This will be inventive, successful, and renewing. It could lead to more shared projects, that actually work.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Tarot cards for Libra for May: Three of Swords, Ten of Coins, Queen of Coins

Meaning: This card trio makes me think ‘there’s a fly in your ointment’. So while everything is going to turn out great, feels hopeful, and the potential is all there for success and prosperity, first, you really should remove that fly!

The Ten and Queen of Coins see you setting yourself up for long-term wealth, home, work and health success. You’re doing all the right things, or trying to, and it’s already yielding results. You feel you know what the right alchemy and mix of activity and priority is for you right now. It’s just a matter of sticking to it.

Back to that fly… The Three of Swords is a betrayal/backstabber/unkindness card, and suggests something small but spiteful in your realm that requires nipping in the bud, before it grows any bigger and can do any real harm. You know what it is. I suspect you wish it would take care of itself or fade away, but it’s won’t. You need to acknowledge it and oust it. Then, all will be well and you will feel in control, powerful and validated in your position. Take this step.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Tarot cards for Scorpio for May: Page of Wands, The Sun, Four of Wands

Meaning: You have outgrown certain surrounds or situations (you’ll be feeling frustrated, bored or irritated in these places, or with these folk) and you’re ready for the next level, a bigger space, a new role, as shown by the promoting Four of Wands. Time to rise, Scorpio!

The Page of Wands asks you to embrace this leap and try lots of different ways and means to do it, there’s always more options than you think. Don’t be put off by first impressions or initial explorations — keep at it, something will move and reveal the right opening for you alone.

The Sun blesses this upwards climb with great joy, luck, success and prosperity — this is exactly what you’re meant to be doing right now, this is your ideal path. Onwards and upwards. And, as a reward, maybe The Sun also thinks you should book a holiday!

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Tarot cards for Sagittarius for May: Nine of Cups, Nine of Swords, King of Swords

Meaning: You are a natural and powerful manifester but you need to remember that actions count, they are what really make the difference in generating momentum and change. You can’t just ‘wish something away’, and though you know this, you still do it anyway!

The Nines of Cups and Swords sees you hoping your worst fears would evaporate, take care of themselves, or be removed by a saviour. None of that will happen, but the King of Swords visits with you this May to bring the strength of intellect and rationality. You feel dispassionate enough to look these worries full in the eye, and decide what to do about them. None are as bad or scary as you fear — your mind has played tricks on you.

Everything has a solution, a way through, an exit. Find the ‘playbook’ to your troubles and play the right moves and, by June, you could be free of all of this angst and moving ahead with shrewd plans and schemes. Let the King of Swords lead.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

Tarot cards for Capricorn for May: Five of Swords, Judgement, Justice

Meaning: You are the bringer of justice this May, Capricorn, and you get to pass the judgment, execute the amendments, and enjoy the benefits of taking responsibility for this mess! Folk will respect how you handle it, and that will pay back in unexpected ways down the line.

The Five of Swords shows there is a conflict in your realm, a fundamental schism of opinion. Judgement reveals you can see why each person holds their position and what the appropriate compromise or truce position would be, and you hold the necessary respect of each person to suggest and broker this proposal. So do it.

Justice shows a good outcome will emerge, order will be restored, wrongs will be righted, and people will feel that you did them a good turn with your subtle intervention.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

Tarot cards for Aquarius for May: The High Priestess, Temperance, King of Wands

Meaning: A change of heart, at a very deep and lasting level, stabilises your mind and clears away all the fog. Once you can see clearly, you can think clearly, and this leads to a new purpose that feels totally authentic and aligned with right where you’re actually at (vs wish to be, or hoped to be). Reality bites!

The High Priestess and Temperance work together to bring you a soulful shift or change of perspective which casts new light on where you’re at, and why. And it’s helpful. This new understanding makes you feel stable, secure, ‘right’ about things.

Then, with this solid foundation, the King of Wands is unleashed! Purpose, power, adventure, magic energies and forces. You feel like you’re ready to embark on a new quest because the challenge and goal is so obvious and clear to you. This is going to be great!

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

Tarot cards for Pisces for May: Seven of Cups, Ace of Wands, The Star

Meaning: Miracles and magic for you this May, Pisces! How delightful! The Star is a miracle card, bringing you a dream come true, a wish fulfilled and fully granted by your own personal genie (can you see him yet?). Look out for sparkles, glimmers, flashes, comet trails and fairy lights. They’re a signal that you can make your wish and take a step towards it!

The Seven of Cups brings your imagination to its full force, which is some going! You’re one of the most creative star signs and naturally artistic. The Ace of Wands has you starting a new creative class, project, role, or challenge.

Get busy doing something expressive and whimsical, something that puts an enchanting layer of meaning over the top of everyday life, a hyper-real filter and glow up. You can make everything feel more alive and interesting. This is your gift to share with others.  

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Kerry King has been reading, teaching and creating tarot for 30 years. Join her magical, exclusive Tarot Club for forecasts, predictions, lessons and readings straight to your inbox. Enjoy one month free for all Metro readers (no lock-in or commitment) over on Patreon.

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

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The pre-school was previously rated as requires improvement in 2025

A pre-school where children have a “sense of belonging” has improved its Ofsted rating. In March 2025, Cracker Jacks Pre-School in Kester Way, St Neots, was rated as requiring improvement across all areas by Ofsted.

Inspectors said the quality of education across the nursery was “not consistent” and organisation of nursery activities and routines required improvement. Following its latest inspection in February, the pre-school has improved its rating to expected standard.

It has been rated as an expected standard in all areas, including: achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children’s welfare and wellbeing; curriculum and teaching; inclusion; and leadership and governance.

The report said children who attend “achieve well” from the start, and gaps in children’s learning were “closing consistently”. Babies were said to “smile with delight” at the nursery.

Kim Seaman, nursery director said: “We are absolutely delighted that our nursery has now been recognised as achieving an expected standard, a result that reflects the passion, dedication and hard work of our entire team.

“After an unexpectedly early inspection in 2025, shortly after opening our new setting, we felt we had not yet been given the time many new provisions need to fully settle, embed routines and showcase everything we knew we could offer. Rather than allowing that to define us, our team remained committed to creating the warm, nurturing and inspiring environment our children deserve.”

Inspectors said staff have “high expectations” of the children’s behaviour, and they set clear and age appropriate boundaries for this. Staff were also said to create a “warm and nurturing environment”. Inspectors praised leaders for demonstrating an “understanding of curriculum quality and teaching” in its latest inspection.

The report added: “They make informed decisions to drive improvement as they regularly review and refine the curriculum in response to children’s needs.” It was also said that children show a “sense of belonging” when attending the nursery.

To improve its rating, Ofsted recommended a number of next steps. These were:

• Leaders should support staff to consistently allow younger children to demonstrate and practise their independence, giving them more opportunities to complete tasks on their own before providing support;
• Leaders should continue to build on staff practice to support older children to develop their critical thinking skills;
• Leaders should have a more focused approach to increasing children’s awareness of a healthy lifestyle.

Ms Seaman added: “This achievement is a wonderful recognition of how far we have come and the determination of everyone involved. It celebrates not only our staff, but also the incredible support of our families and local community who have believed in us every step of the way.

“Most importantly, this result reflects what we see every day – happy children, thriving in a safe, caring and stimulating environment. We are immensely proud of this milestone and excited for the future as our nursery continues to grow from strength to strength.”

“The language that once survived in whispers now thrives in classrooms, murals, and music”

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Violins and acoustic guitars are the typical sounds that come to mind when discussing traditional Irish music however this traditional perspective has shifted to trap beats and rap verses in the year 2026.

The modernisation of the language through music is something that has taken the industry by storm. And the global phenomena of West Belfast and Derry trio Kneecap are at the very heart of it.

Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próv aí are using Irish and English, humour and hard-hitting lyrics to drive a political message ranging from language rights and media representation to working class youth culture and stereotyping.

Mo Chara, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, and Naoise Ó Cairealláin’s music has resonated with the youth with hard-hitting influential topics taking priority in their lyricism.

And whether you think they are saints or sinners the group have left in a cultural legacy after signing with Heavenly Recordings in 2023. A Heavenly Recordings representative said: “So working with Kneecap has been completely different to working with any of our other artists.

“Obviously they’re political and the’re very upfront in what they think and what they do. They’re very creative in what they do. It makes campaigns a lot more interesting. It makes them different to the kind of standard rollout of something.

“At its core, Heavenly Recordings has always been a political label. Back in 1990, Heavenly were the, first label to sign the Manic Street Preachers, they were an anti-capitalist band known for supporting the labour party at a time when left-leaning leadership was dictating. Being signed to a label that wouldn’t censor their political stance was extremely important to Kneecap, as if there is one thing kneecap are not, it is censored.

“So, for them it is a priority to be signed to a record label that allows them to be unapologetically themselves and express their distaste for political injustice.”

Kneecap released their first single C.E.A.R.T.A in the winter of 2017, the song controversially called out anti-police narratives throughout the debut single. The song blends Irish street slang with a hip -hop beat. The modernisation of the language through the trio’s unique style made for a shift in language representation, as now it was not just being showcased through old history books, but it is now being represented in the form of modern media on a global scale, by a group of West Belfast young men.

The group have even created their own words in the language to ensure they could fluently express themselves in the modern day. A lot of kneecaps lyrics revolve around the use of party drugs, with Irish being an older Celtic language they often found themselves at dead ends when trying to depict party scenes in their native tongue.

They solved this issue by work using words that are similar for example, capaillin’ which means small horse instead of the word ketamine as it does not exist in direct Irish translation. These small details are what make kneecap influential in the modern language as they are pushing boundaries and modernising the use of Gaelige.

Prominent Irish teacher Maighréad Ní Chonghaile explains the process: “Their work challenges outdated stereotypes that Irish is a ‘dead’ or purely academic language and helps young people see it as something they can engage with confidently and creatively.”

Belfast City Councillor and Kneecap fan Eamonn McLaughlin also addressed the rise of the trio: “Kneecap are one of the most important cultural forces in recent years. I listen to their music and saw the film! They make the language feel bold, modern and exciting.

“Their influence has clearly encouraged young people to learn Irish, boosted interest at GCSE level, and brought Gaeilge into mainstream pop culture. They’ve made the language accessible – and cool.”

Kneecap’s influence on Belfast’s cultural relationship does not go unnoticed, murals and graffiti are displayed across town, confidently expressing the city’s love for the trio as they strive to normalize and actively modernise the language.

The pride in which their hometown projects is loud, however that does not mean their art has stayed confined within Belfast. Even though they tackle community wide topics while rapping in their native tongue the language and topics transcend the linguistic and cultural barriers and that is what sets the trio apart.

The Heavenly Recordings representative added: “We’ve witnessed them play a first on main stage festival slot to thousands of people, headline a hometown show in Belfast to a sea of 10,000, and perform in a packed-out sweaty basement at The Social in London to friends and family — who needed no persuading to turn out in force. Their name is known on both sides of the Irish Sea and beyond, Kneecap fill what was once a gaping Irish language rap-shaped void in our roster, and we can’t wait to share their spark with the world.”

And it was a good thing they didn’t buckle as Kneecaps 60-minute set attracted tens of thousands of ticket holders last summer.

Lead vocalist Mo Chara took to the stage and stated, “Us three have no right to be on this stage in front of this many people, rapping predominantly in a language that even people at home don’t even speak.”

Kneecap further detail Belfast’s relationship with the language, throughout their 2014 comedy-drama film. The film did exceptionally well and as a result was nominated for a range of awards throughout the award season. Due to the success the movie went on to win seven awards including a BAFTA.

Sean Mac Dermott stated “The language that once survived in whispers now thrives in classrooms, murals, and music. What we are witnessing in West Belfast is more than linguistic growth; it is the reclaiming of identity. The resurgence of Irish demonstrates that culture cannot be erased — it adapts, endures, and ultimately reasserts itself.”

When asked about what is next for Kneecap, Heavenly Recordings highlighted the roll out of their new album ‘Fenian’ which dropped on April 24. A rep said: “Their first album Fine Art is not necessarily an album that you would listen to at home, Fenian is a bit more like that and a bit more serious in tone.”

With language the theme – the final word goes to Mo-Chara who, when asked about the renaissance of Irish throughout Ireland, told me: “I think the resurgence has given Ireland a breath of fresh air.

“When you lose a language you lose a understanding of the land, your history and yourself.”

Fenians is available for pre order.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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Killian Smith was reaching near the double the speed limit when he crashed into Jawar Khan who was crossing Bradford Street,

The horrific crash happened on April 19, 2024 when Smith was behind the wheel of a BMW.

Smith, 34 of Newby Road, Breightment, was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment for causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was further sentenced to another 27 months for a separate incident of coercive and controlling behaviour that occurred later, to be served concurrently.

This involved Smith’s then-partner.

Also appearing alongside him was Jamie Mallen, who the court heard was speeding on the same road, although he did crash into anything or anyone.

Bolton Crown Court heard both men were driving at around 56/57mph in a 30mph zone.

Mallen, 29, of Tulip Avenue, Kearsley, who drove the red Ford which did not hit Mr Khan, was sentenced to nine-months in prison for driving dangerously, suspended for 18 months.

Addressing Smith, Recorder Andrew Long said: “The three-year sentence which should be the starting point is subject to reductions due to your guilty plea and other personal aggravating matters.”

Recorder Long was referring to the death of Smith’s mother, which the defendant had been out commemorating at the time of the collision, as well as an earlier incident in which his brother died by suicide.

Recorder Long then turned to Mallen: “You performed the same manoeuvre at the same time, and it is only by the grace of God that that you did not injure anybody else.”

Barrister Adam Brown, who prosecuted the case, explained that the cars were first seen by another driver on Bradford Street on the date in question.

The driver said that he saw the blue BMW pull up next to him while he was in traffic then speed off, followed by the red Ford, which did the same thing.

He then heard a loud bang, which he soon found out was the blue BMW – driven by Smith – hitting Mr Khan.

Bolton Crown Court (Image: Anthony Moss)

Smith came to a complete standstill upon colliding with Mr Khan, and remained at the scene, making no attempt to flee, which Recorder Long said indicated genuine remorse.

The red Ford driven by Mallen continued on – he was later found to have a small amount of cannabis in his system, and was driving on a provisional licence.

Paramedics were called to the scene, and another witness saw a young woman shouting ‘it’s my dad, it’s my dad!’

This young woman was Mr Khan’s daughter Sophia, who witnessed her father being hit by Smith’s BMW.

Mr Brown read out a statement by Ms Khan: “My father was departing from mosque with his brother-in-law when he was hit by the car while crossing Bradford Street.

“Even though I had seen him after his stroke, I immediately knew this time was it was more serious.

“He was treated in hospital by medical professionals until December 4.

“He was found to have a traumatic brain injury due to the collision caused by his brain rotating in his head. We were told it is not likely to heal.

“From leaving the hospital to now his condition has only deteriorated.

“He was initially able to take his medication orally, but now it has to go in through a drip – he used to respond to us speaking to him, he now doesn’t.

“He used to have very healthy teeth, but his teeth are now black and crumbling due to the medication.

“He used to be very independent, now he relies on his wife and children and needs 24-hour care.

“My mother provides 90 per cent of the care, which is impacting her health – she is now confined to the house as much as my father is.”

Recorder Long also described the abuse that Smith subjected his then partner to, which led to her getting a restraining order against him for 10 years.

On one incident, he pushed her against a wall, injuring her head in the process, causing her to ring the police against him.

Smith’s defence barrister Richard Brigden explained that, at the time of the collision, Smith had been out for an event commemorating the death of his mother.

Mr Brigden brought up other mitigating circumstances which were affecting him at the time of the domestic violence, including finding the body of his brother.

His character since the arrest was also brought up as indicative of positive change.

The court heard how Smith acts as a mentor for young prisoners, and how he is undergoing therapy which has helped him understand his previous criminal actions.

Ms Tanya Elahi, the defence barrister for Mallen, spoke about the defendant’s issues with cannabis, for which she requested he undergo a cannabis awareness course.

Recorder Long gave Mallen a nine-month suspended sentence, less than ‘most judges’ would have given in a similar situation, he said.

He instructed Mallen to use his freedom ‘wisely’.

Mulgrave has finished building four energy-efficient homes in Appleton Wiske, near Northallerton.

The site, named Apletona, is located off Hornby Road on a 1.26-acre plot at the western edge of the village.

Debbie Foster, sales director at Mulgrave, said: “We began work at Apletona in October 2024 and the site team has successfully delivered an exclusive collection of high-quality, low-carbon homes within a sensitively designed extension to the village.

“These spacious, energy-efficient homes will help to meet the recognised local demand for bungalows, enabling retired households to downsize and free up housing for families seeking to live in the area.

“There is a particular need for two-bedroom bungalows and these are the first two-bedroom properties to be built in Appleton Wiske for more than 20 years.”

The development includes two- and three-bedroom bungalows, ranging from 1,300 to 1,700 square feet.

Homes are fitted with air source heat pumps and high-quality glazing to improve energy efficiency.

A contribution of £50,700 has also been made to North Yorkshire Council through the Community Infrastructure Levy to support local services and facilities.

The bungalows have been designed to complement the character of Appleton Wiske, using red multi-brick and grey roof tiles.

The overall landscaping provides a gentle transition from the village to the surrounding countryside.

Native hedgerow and species-rich grassland have been planted, with swift and bat boxes integrated into each property to boost biodiversity.

Ms Foster said: “Apletona has been created in a sustainable location with the local pub, post office, and village hall all within a short walk of the new homes, giving residents easy access to local amenities without having to use a car.”

One of the three-bedroom bungalows and both two-bedroom homes are currently available for reservation, with prices starting at £500,000.

More information can be found by visiting the Mulgrave Properties website.