Dwain Hall, 54, pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder and kidnapping of Sonia Exelby, 32, from Portsmouth, whose body was found in a shallow grave in Florida after she failed to board a return flight to London

A Florida man accused of murdering a woman he encountered on a fetish website is set to stand trial later this year.

Dwight Hall, 54, pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder and kidnapping of British woman Sonia Exelby, 32, who travelled to the US from her home in Portsmouth in October last year. Court documents seen by the Mirror revealed that Sonia had made the trip to Florida “to be possibly sexually abused, tortured and murdered”.

A post-mortem examination established that Sonia died as a result of four stab wounds, with her body subsequently discovered in a shallow grave. Hall initially denied any knowledge of or contact with Sonia, but later told investigators the pair had been intimate, according to documents.

Hall made a brief court appearance on Wednesday, during which a judge set out the timeline for proceedings. Jury selection for his trial is scheduled to commence on November 16.

The case will be heard in Marion County, Florida, and is anticipated to last approximately one week, reports the Mirror.

Sonia’s body was uncovered in a shallow grave in woodland after she failed to board a return flight to London on October 13. Those close to her said Sonia had battled mental health difficulties and may have been in a “vulnerable” state when she allegedly began communicating with a man she had met on a fetish website.

Their exchanges allegedly progressed from discussions of bondage and suicide to Sonia voicing a wish to be killed. An affidavit stated that if Hall had been compelled to assist in her death, he would have taken her to Alligator Alley, where wildlife “would have taken care of her.”

When quizzed over whether he had killed Sonia, Hall declined to respond but reportedly stated “she’s happy now because she got what she wanted.” It emerged that Sonia may have had second thoughts about the plot but felt trapped with no means of escape.

Detectives uncovered messages Sonia had sent to a friend through the online messaging platform Discord, dated 11 October, the day after she touched down in the US. Sonia said: “I’m sorry he keeps taking my phone, he doesn’t trust me with it. He made it clear there was no way out unless I shoot him. I was questioning it last night.”

Yet, remarkably, the goal was the signal for Brentford to take hold of the game. It is no exaggeration to say they should have scored three times after going behind and Andrews, the impressive Brentford head coach, was crestfallen their endeavour was not rewarded.

A better connection from Igor Thiago at the back post, when Keane Lewis-Potter zipped a ball across the six-yard box, would have resulted in a Brentford equaliser in the 23rd minute and then, in the next attack, Michael Kayode was denied by Senne Lammens’s outstretched arm.

The worst was still to come. Thiago, one of the players of the season, found himself clean through on Lammens after a ball from Ouattara but, rather than shooting, he hesitated, took a touch then slipped over.

It prompted one of those growls to tumble out of the Stretford End, a wake-up call that ideas needed to be bucked up. When Ayden Heaven slid in to dispossess Thiago a couple of moments later, the decibels were cranked up further. This could not continue.

And it did not. Understandably pursuing their ambition, Brentford got their angles wrong just outside the United penalty area, Diogo Dalot thundered into Kevin Schade, the ball arrived at the feet of Fernandes and off he went, a matador actively pursuing his target.

Fernandes had options on both sides, but you knew he was going to pick the right one – a little nudge to his left invited Benjamin Sesko to run and the perfectly weighted pass arrived at his feet, the Slovenian even having time to hoodwink Van den Berg and clip his finish over Kelleher. It was the Portuguese’s 19th assist, one off record holders Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne for a single season.

Banks including Santander, HSBC UK, Barclays, Skipton Building Society, and Virgin Money all adjusted their mortgage offerings, highlighting growing competition across the market.

According to financial information website Moneyfacts, the average two-year fixed homeowner mortgage rate on the market last Wednesday (April 22) morning was 5.83%, down from 5.87% on Tuesday (April 21).

Santander led with another round of cuts

Santander has reduced rates for the second time in April, introducing further cuts of up to 0.25 percentage points from Friday (April 24) . The changes applied to first-time buyers, home movers, and those remortgaging.

Among the headline deals:

• A 98% loan-to-value “My First Mortgage” fell to 5.60%
• A 5% deposit, three-year fixed deal was launched at 5.55% with no fee and £250 cashback
• A 15% deposit, two-year fix was offered at 4.80% (£999 fee + £250 cashback)
• A 15% deposit, five-year fix came in at 4.98% with no fee and £250 cashback

HSBC UK also refreshed its mortgage range after cutting rates the previous week, with reductions across products for buyers and remortgagers.

Barclays and Skipton Building Society had already lowered their rates earlier in the week, while Virgin Money introduced cuts across residential and buy-to-let deals.

Why have rates moved?

Mortgage pricing, which is influenced by swap rates, had begun to ease – allowing lenders to pass on some reductions.

At the same time, global uncertainty, including tensions in the Middle East, continued to create volatility and kept expectations of higher interest rates in place, limiting how far rates could fall.

Recommended reading:

According to Moneyfacts at the time:

• The average two-year fixed mortgage rate was 5.83%
• The average five-year fixed rate was 5.73%

Both were slightly lower day-on-day, but still well above early March levels, when two-year fixes averaged 4.83% and five-year deals 4.95%.

Are you switching your mortgage deal soon? What’s the best deal you’ve found? Tell us in the comments below…

​Following opposition from local residents, politicians, and campaigners, ​Europa Oil & Gas’ proposal to install a 125ft (38m) rig in the village of Burniston, close to the North York Moors National Park was stalled at a meeting on Friday, April 24.

Following an almost five-hour meeting in Scarborough, councillors said they were ‘minded to refuse’ the scheme for a temporary wellsite that sought to explore for gas.

​The preliminary refusal is subject to the Government’s appraisal of Europa’s environmental screening and is dependent on whether the Secretary of State requests further details, and could mean the application returns to the planning committee.

​Ginnie Shaw, of Frack Free York and Villages, joined hundreds of campaigners and residents at a demonstration before the meeting started on Friday.

​Commenting on the turnout at the demonstration, she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “It shows the strength of opposition to fracking at Burniston.

“Two friends of mine in their 80s who live in Scarborough came to support this lobby, there’s a number of us from York, and there are people from across Yorkshire. People are here who really believe that fracking is not a good thing and who oppose it.”

​Planning officers had recommended approval of the application and said the scheme would not have an unacceptable impact on residential amenity or tourism, and that short-term impacts could be mitigated. They also said they were satisfied that the use of proppant squeeze did not justify refusal of the application.

​The proppant squeeze method has been likened to “small-scale fracking” and is allowed under current legislation.

​Helen, a Scarborough resident who also participated in Friday’s demonstration, said: “We’re here because we don’t agree with fracking being practised at all, let alone in a rural area that seems quite sacrificial to central government.

“This is massively regressive and it shouldn’t even be considered. I think it’s shocking that it is being considered in 2026 – it’s just not good enough.”

Anti Gas Rig Demo Scarborough Town Hall. Courtesy Numminen, Ldrs….

​William Holland, the CEO of Europa Oil & Gas, told the committee: “Developments of this nature can be carried out responsibly, and we are committed to working constructively with the local community throughout.

​“The development is limited, and it does not determine any future development. Let’s be clear, if we are successful, we will make another application and it will create jobs and support the UK economy, it will also create gas that will be consumed here in Yorkshire.”

​The company has said the scheme would be beneficial to the local economy and that there is no ‘loophole’ in the moratorium on fracking.

​Speaking on Monday, April 27, Green Party councillor Andy Brown, a member of the strategic planning committee, said: ”It was really pleasing that councillors from so many different parties agreed that this development was an industrialisation of a heritage coastline – one that was against many North Yorkshire and national policies.

​“The Greens may have proposed rejection at the meeting, but representatives of all parties present voted that this was the wrong form of development for our community. The strength and importance of such cross-party collaborative decision making should never be underestimated.”

Europa Ceo Wiliam Holland. Courtesy Numminen, Ldrs

​Alison Hume, the Labour MP for Scarborough and Whitby, told demonstrators on Friday that she was “as frustrated” as residents that the Government “hasn’t stepped in and put an end to this application”.

​“This is nonsense. I am continuing to lobby the Government on your behalf, and I stand with you. There will be no fracking in Burniston.”

Wellbore Illustration. Europa Oil And Gas

​Local Conservative ward councillor Derek Bastiman told the LDRS after the meeting: “I’m absolutely over the moon with the result.

​​“Councillors considered everything, and they explored every avenue. I was very pleased that they listened to us, to me as the divisional member, and the three parish councils I represented.”

​Europa’s CEO, Mr Holland, added after the meeting: ​“I’m quite confident that the grounds that it’s been rejected on, when we go to appeal, and we will appeal it, the decision will be overturned at appeal.”

Gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh warns bird feeders can attract rats during spring breeding season – but there’s a simple solution to keep them away from your garden

Rats are a familiar nuisance in gardens, and with spring now upon us, the problem is only set to worsen. As the weather warms up, many households will be keen to spend more time in their outdoor spaces.

However, spring marks the peak breeding season for rats and mice. They’re on the hunt for food and shelter, and our gardens often provide perfect nesting locations and easy pickings.

Infestations can become incredibly difficult to eliminate and expensive to tackle. It’s crucial to prevent rats from taking hold, and Alan Titchmarsh has some essential guidance.

The gardening expert has highlighted how one activity beloved by gardeners could actually be inviting rats in. Feeding birds may be luring these rodents into your garden, as they’re equally keen to feast on the offerings.

Alan said: “Most gardeners, myself included, love encouraging garden birds, so bird feeders are everywhere in this garden. But, they can also be a magnet for rats.”.

Fortunately, there’s a way to prevent rats from going after the bird food and infiltrating your garden. Alan explained it’s all down to the positioning of your bird feeder.

He said: “The key to success with them is to position in the open, in the middle of your lawn. Rats hate running through exposed areas.

“If you put your bird feeder alongside a hedge or wall, that’s great as they have shelter and they rush out and grab what they want and rush back.” Alan advises positioning your bird feeder right in the centre of your garden, well away from bushes, hedges and walls. As a bonus, this will also give you a far better view of the birds when they pop by for a meal.

The gardener urged: “So, in an open space is by far the best place for a bird feeder. Then, you shouldn’t have the rat problem.”

Alongside repositioning the feeder, Alan has another handy tip for keeping rats out of your garden — simply avoid leaving any bird food out overnight.

Alan said: “Put it out first thing in the morning.” He acknowledged that many gardeners might have reservations about this approach, given that birds tend to feed early in the day.

However, he insists this won’t cause any problems for the birds, as they’re perfectly capable of waiting a little while. Alan added: “If you have had a rat problem, they can wait half an hour before you put it out.

“That way, you’ll enjoy the garden birds and hopefully not a rat in sight.”

Sedgefield Community College has been shortlisted for ‘Secondary School of the Year’ at the TES Schools Awards.

The school faces tough competition from seven other schools around the UK.

The TES Schools Awards are a highly prestigious national educational awards.

The winner of ‘Secondary School of the Year’ will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on Friday, June 19.

Headteacher Paul Fleming said: “We’re delighted that the fantastic efforts of our students, families, governors and staff have been recognised and that we have been shortlisted for this award.

“With so many exceptional schools in our region and beyond, it is an honour to have been acknowledged in this way.”

WARNING: This article contains distressing details A couple are on trial accused of a harrowing series of sexual assaults and abuse against a toddler they were in the process of adopting in Blackpool, a court has heard

A couple allegedly subjected a toddler they were in the process of adopting to sleep deprivation and sexual assaults before he died after being in their care for just three months, a court was told.

Preston Davey had been placed with Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazackerley at their Blackpool home in April 2023 when he was nine months old. During the three months that followed, right up until Preston’s death on July 27 that year, the pair are alleged to have repeatedly sexually assaulted the infant and inflicted serious injuries said to have been caused by 37-year-old Varley sexually assaulting the toddler.

The couple stood trial at Preston Crown Court on Monday, April 27, facing a combined total of 29 charges. Varley, a former teacher, is accused of murdering Preston, along with 25 additional counts of sexually and physically abusing the child, reports Lancs Live.

McGowan-Fazackerley, 32, faces charges of causing or allowing the death of the child, sexual assault and four further offences relating to neglect and ill-treatment. Both men, of Chandlers Way, Grimsargh, deny all charges.

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A jury comprising seven men and seven women was sworn in during the afternoon, before Peter Wright KC opened proceedings on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service. Mr Wright KC cautioned the jury from the start that the trial was expected to run for six weeks and would contain deeply upsetting details, images and footage. Some of that material, retrieved from Varley’s phone, was presented to jurors, including a sequence of three photographs depicting a sleeping Preston slumped over the bars of his cot.

The prosecutor stated that staining found within the cot had been analysed and was “consistent with the presence of fluid containing saliva, the microscopic characteristics of a sperm cell and a mixed DNA result that could have originated from cells from Preston and Mr McGowan-Fazackerley were found”.

The court was told that Preston had been born on June 16 in 2022. In April 2023, at nine months old, he was placed into the care of the defendants as they sought to formally adopt him.

Mr Wright KC said: “The defendants were living together as a couple at an address in Blackpool. They had been together as a couple for some considerable time. Less than four months later, at about 6.30pm on Thursday July 27 in 2023 Preston was brought to the accident and emergency department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital by these defendants.

“Preston was unconscious and he was in a state of cardiac arrest. His heart had stopped. By now he was aged just 13 months. Despite the best efforts of medical staff Preston was in terminal decline. His condition was irreversible and at 7.20pm that evening he was pronounced dead.

“A post mortem examination revealed the cause of his death to be, in the opinion of the pathologist, the result of acute upper airways obstruction. In the opinion of the forensic pathologist that obstruction which led to his death was as a result either of a smothering, most likely with a hand or soft fabric, or by the insertion of an object or objects into his mouth.

“Someone, with something, so compromised this little boy’s ability to breathe that he was smothered to death. This tragedy was not some unforeseen accident or natural phenomenon. The evidence gathered revealed a much more sinister pathology.”

The prosecutor detailed some of the injuries Preston suffered, which the Crown claims were inflicted by the accused.

“In his brief life [Preston] was routinely ill treated, sexually abused and physically assaulted,” the KC said. “At the time of Preston’s death he was found to have sustained around 40 traumatic injuries over the course of the time he had been in their care.

“He had a healing fracture to his left upper arm that was non-accidental.”

The jury heard that Varley stands accused of capturing multiple images of Preston “in a state of undress in which the focus is the genitalia of that little boy” including while he and Preston were bathing together. Varley is alleged to have transmitted some of these images and videos to McGowan-Fazackerley. Addressing the events of the day Preston died, 27 July 2023, Mr Wright KC stated: “These events took place in the defendant’s home when Jamie Varley was the only person at home.

“It was only later, when Preston’s condition became so extreme that it led to his collapse, that the defendant Jamie Varley together with his then recently-returned partner Mr McGowan-Fazackerley took that little boy 0.9 miles to the hospital. They didn’t live very far away. But it was all too late.”

Turning to McGowan-Fazackerley’s involvement on the day Preston lost his life, the prosecutor continued: “He was working in the Manchester area and it was only when he returned home they took that little boy to the hospital.

“But that doesn’t absolve him. He had joint responsibility for Preston’s care and his well-being. Mr McGowan-Fazackerley failed to take steps to protect Preston. The unlawful act that caused his death occurred in circumstances that he foresaw or ought to have foreseen. He must have known about it and we say he had, on one occasion, participated in sexual assault.”

‘No stranger to A&E’

The court was told that Preston “was no stranger to Blackpool Victoria Hospital”. The prosecutor explained: “After he was placed with [the defendants] Preston was admitted to Blackpool Victoria on three occasions in May, late June and early July with a variety of ailments including difficulty breathing, seizures, a nosebleed and a fracture to his elbow.

“Staff noticed facial bruising but it was explained by the defendants. On admission Preston appeared to recover quickly from any reported breathing difficulties or abnormality. Although physicians put it down to non-specific viral chest infections the tests conducted after death disclosed findings that were consistent with earlier episodes of respiratory obstruction.”

Mr Wright KC revealed that in one clip discovered on Varley’s phone, Preston was being spun on a playground ride “at such a force that his eyes were going in opposite directions”. The footage was subsequently set to music with Preston’s eyelids “spinning round and round which Mr Varley clearly thought was amusing and sent to a friend,” he added.

Jurors were also shown footage of Preston struggling to keep his eyes open while sitting upright, with blaring music repeatedly disturbing him.

The trial continues.

Cameras caught floor stickers directing President Donald Trump where to stand alongside King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their historic state visit to the White House, with viewers sharing their reactions online.

Cameras have revealed stickers positioned to guide President Donald Trump on his exact placement outside the White House before King Charles ‘ and Queen Camilla’s state visit.

Live broadcast images showed small markers seemingly indicating where the president should position himself next to King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The stickers were labelled “KING,” and “PRESIDENT.”

The footage documented King Charles’ arrival at the White House, showing him greeting President Trump with a handshake, while Queen Camilla warmly embraced the first lady. The camera perspective also revealed the floor markers.

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Trump then gestures towards the ground while conversing with Queen Camilla and King Charles, who subsequently move into position for a photograph. Numerous observers remarked on the uncomfortable photo opportunity, suggesting the British Monarchs appeared reluctant to be present, reports the Mirror US.

“They’re so pissed that they have to be there. They really don’t like Trump at all,” one individual wrote on X.

“King Charles is giving off that ‘I’d rather be anywhere else right now’ vibe,” another commented.

King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Monday, where British embassy personnel welcomed them.

This visit represents King Charles’ inaugural trip to the U.S. as sovereign, and the first state visit by any British monarch since 2007, occurring amid mounting tensions between British leadership and the Trump administration. During their time at the White House, the royal couple enjoyed a private afternoon tea with the first couple.

The royal pair will spend a total of four days in the US during the state visit, taking them from Washington D.C., to New York, and finally on to Virginia.

The first day will include a garden party following the afternoon tea, while the second day will feature a formal White House welcome and a ceremonial military review. King Charles and President Trump will also hold a meeting, which is expected to be closed to the press.

King Charles will deliver a speech to US Congress, marking only the second time a British monarch has ever addressed Congress. The first occasion was Queen Elizabeth II’s address during her 1991 state visit.

President Trump and the King will both make further speeches at a state dinner held at the White House. The royal couple will then head to New York City on Thursday to visit the 9/11 memorial, where they will meet with families of the victims of the World Trade Center terror attack.

The King will visit a community organisation and attend a gathering of business leaders, while the Queen will attend a literary event celebrating the 100th birthday of Winnie the Pooh. Friday marks the last day of the state visit. A wreath-laying ceremony will pay tribute to fallen soldiers from both countries, before the royal couple head to Virginia to visit a national park and take part in a community celebration marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Follow our live blog here for the latest updates on the Royal visit to the US.