Parliament must enforce point-of-sale restrictions on the purchase of e-bikes and introduce age limits, writes Record View.
Peggy Maxwell might be a 94-year-old pensioner but she is determined to change the law on electric motorbikes after being run over by one.
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She tells her story today and we hope MSPs will read her words carefully – and put in place regulation to keep folk safe.
What was pitched as a green transport option has turned into a nightmare in towns and housing estates in Scotland.
These high-powered electric bikes are frequently modified to hit motor vehicle speeds but are often used with no training, insurance or licence.
This situation has led to an explosion of e-bike gangs roaming around without a care for their own safety or that of the pedestrians they crash into. Police are often unable to chase them – and the youngsters are well aware.
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These are not harmless teenagers on pushbikes. They are riding heavy, silent machines capable of speeds over 50mph.
Beyond local anti-social behaviour, they have become the preferred transport for county lines drug-running and street robbery, offering escape for criminals.
Current legislation on e-bikes and electric motorbikes is not working. That’s why Peggy’s plea, backed by her MSP Richard Baker, needs to be heeded.
We need an aggressive policy overhaul. Parliament must enforce point-of-sale restrictions on the purchase of e-bikes and introduce age limits. There must be a mandatory e-bikes registration scheme.
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Police Scotland must gain enhanced powers and dedicated pursuit resources to intercept and confiscate non-compliant bikes on the spot.
Legitimate commuters and eco-conscious cyclists have nothing to fear. Regulation is not an attack on sustainable travel. It is a long-overdue measure to support safe communities.
Too many housing estates have been transformed into unregulated racetracks for criminal gangs. That has to end now – for Peggy’s sake and that of every victim of the e-bike free-for-all.
Earn our respect
Today Glasgow will play host to another potentially divisive rally, weeks after a similar event sparked scenes of chaos. This protest has been organised by the Pink Ladies, who claim to be supporting women’s safety.
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And that is a legitimate aim. When immigration and asylum are discussed, it is right that crime, women’s safety and community cohesion are considered.
But as we have seen before, these rallies in support of “community safety” often escalate into outright racism and the targeting of minority groups.
We hope today’s protest passes off peacefully. And we would remind those taking part that hatred, racism and attacks on the working people of Glasgow are never acceptable.
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Firefighters were called to the bonfire in Middleton, near Pickering, at 7.55pm on Friday (September 11).
The bonfire in Middleton Lane measured around 1m by 1m, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said.
A service spokesperson said the fire crew extinguished the bonfire and dampened down the area using one hose reel jet.
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The incident came hours after another crew were called to a bonfire that the fire service said was “at risk of becoming out of control” in Little Studley, near Ripon.
Firefighters from Ripon extinguished the bonfire shortly after 5.51pm and “advice was given to a responsible person” on the scene, the fire service spokesperson said.
Mums who were raising children in the 1980s or 1990s are being urged to apply themselves to check if they are owed extra state pension, rather than use a claims management firm that could take a large chunk of any payout.
‘We encourage anyone who thinks they’re missing Home Responsibilities Protection to check if they’re eligible using our online tool,’ says an HMRC spokesman.
‘Claiming via Gov.uk is free and means they will keep 100 per cent of what they’re owed – without having to pay fees of up to 40 per cent to third parties.’
Many older mums have lost out on large sums in state pension due to holes in their National Insurance records, and HMRC is responsible for contacting those people – see below for the cause of the error and what to do if you are affected.
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HMRC has paid out £100million in arrears and the average payment is around £8,000.
But it has seen some claims companies charging up to 40 per cent, which is around £3,200 for something people can quickly and easily do themselves for free in about 15 minutes.
Former Pensions Minister Steve Webb, who is now a partner at LCP, says: The claim form for Home Responsibilities Protection is one of the simplest official forms I have come across.
‘Provided that you know the names and dates of birth of your children and a few other bits of information, you should have no trouble filling it in.’
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Claiming HRP: Could YOU be owed extra state pension – find out more on how to apply below
Mr Webb, who is This is Money’s pension columnist, adds: ‘With the typical successful application from a pensioner generating thousands of pounds in arrears, this is an opportunity not to be missed if you think this could apply to you.’
HMRC has been publicising the issue since 2023 via hundreds of thousands of letters, social media posts, radio adverts and other communications.
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It is urging anyone thinking of using an agent to claim Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) on their behalf to consult its guidance, which explains that you should check an agent’s website to see what tax services they offer.
You should read their terms and conditions so you fully understand the fees you will pay; the legal contract you may be agreeing to; the service you’re signing up for; and that they are aware of and meeting HMRC’s agent standards.
HMRC has a range of powers to deal with agents that are not meeting its standards, and when it receives high volumes of claims via agents this may lead to longer processing times.
The kind of information you will need to supply to HMRC to find out if you are owed state pension due to an HRP error is the names and dates of birth of all of your children, and details of the other parent.
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In the event you still have paperwork around child benefit this will help with your claim, but a claim can be successful without any paperwork.
Webb says: ‘The Government has previously admitted that there are probably tens of thousands of parents who should have been awarded HRP and have missed out, and has so far paid out over £100million in state pension arrears where this probably has subsequently been corrected.’
He explains how HRP worked below.
What is Home Responsibilities Protection?
Steve Webb: HRP was replaced by NI credits in 2010
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Introduced in 1978/79, HRP is a way of protecting the pension record of parents – mostly mothers – who were not able to make National Insurance Contributions because they were looking after a child, writes Steve Webb.
When HRP was introduced, you could get it for any complete financial year in which you were receiving child benefit for a child who was under 16 for the full year.
From 2010/11 the upper age limit dropped from 16 to 12. But you could not get HRP for any year in which you were paying, or were eligible to pay, the reduced ‘married woman’s stamp’ rate of NI contributions.
For a woman who reached pension age before 2010, you needed 39 years of NI contributions to qualify for a full basic state pension. However, each year of HRP when you were at home with a child knocks one year off your target for a full pension.
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So, for example, if you had nine years of HRP, your target for a full pension would fall from 39 years to 30 years.
In April 2010, the rules around HRP changed. For those retiring after this point, all pre 2010 HRP years were converted into full qualifying years and count exactly the same as if you had been in paid work and paying NICs.
The system is now known as NI credits rather than HRP. Women who reached pension age from April 2010 onwards will see these years as full qualifying years on their record.
Many elderly parents, mostly mums, have missed out on state pension due to holes in their child benefit records
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Some parents aged in their 60s and 70s now, who claimed child benefit between 1978 and 2000, have been affected.
If they have already died, their beneficiaries are in line for payouts.
The blunder happened because it was not compulsory to include NI numbers on child benefit forms until 2000, so parents’ entitlement to state pension got missed off their records.
Child benefit records are deleted five years after the claim ends for data protection reasons.
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Therefore, it is impossible now to identify everyone whose record is wrongly missing ‘home responsibilities protection’ – an entitlement which counts towards a state pension, and was replaced by the current system of annual NI credits in 2010.
HMRC has searched through NI records to find as many people as possible with no HRP who might nevertheless have been entitled to it, and has written to those it thinks might have been affected.
If those people make a claim and an error is found, HMRC will update their NI record, and the DWP will recalculate their state pension and let them know whether they are due any arrears. Some backpayments are modest, but others run to tens of thousands of pounds.
If someone suspects a deceased relative was underpaid, a representative – an executor, administrator or next of kin – can make a claim on their behalf.
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It is possible to do this online or by post. Go here to make a HRP claim.
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Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn fight for the WBC world welterweight title in Las Vegas this weekend
Boxing fans flock to Las Vegas this weekend as Ryan Garcia aims to defend his WBC welterweight title against Conor Benn.
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The Brit is fighting in his first world title bout and has been “dragged through the pits of hill” during his preparations. Benn has had to cut down to the 147-pound limit and described the drop as a “fight with Satan.”
Meanwhile, Garcia is holding onto his world title with all his might after winning the belt against Mario Barrios in February. He dominated the fight over 12 rounds and won via unanimous decision – and is planning to continue this form in the ring with Benn.
Garcia said, “Come Saturday night, when his blood is spilling out of his mouth, that will be enough to show him how Mexican I am. I heard his dad talking like he was gonna knock me out. Bet he won’t. Bet he won’t. We can bet whatever too. Your son ain’t gonna knock me out. He couldn’t even knock out Regis. Your dad ain’t right. Your dad lying to you. I hope you know that. Dad lying to you.”
Watch Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn live on DAZN
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Conor Benn will fight for the WBC welterweight title when he faces Ryan Garcia on Saturday, September 12, in Las Vegas. Fans can order the fight on DAZN PPV for £24.99 or watch it at no extra cost with DAZN Ultimate.
But what do the ring experts think? Here, Manchester Evening News has examined the latest predictions for Garcia vs Benn as several pundits claim that the weight limit will end the fight in the American’s favour.
Eddie Hearn – Garcia win
Benn’s former promoter, Eddie Hearn, believes the fight will be entertaining, but the Brit’s weight cut will hurt him in the end. He told Boxing n BBQ: “It’s because I don’t think Conor should be fighting at 147[lbs].
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“But Conor is dangerous, he’s got plenty of heart, and it will be a good fight.”
Regis Prograis – Benn win
Ex-boxer Regis Prograis believes Benn has the beating of his fellow American, despite Garcia being more prolific in the ring. He told Fighthype: “I think it’s a great fight and I pick Conor Benn.
“I think Ryan Garcia is a better boxer, but if they get to a fight, which might happen, I will pick Conor Benn.”
Josh Taylor – Garcia win
Former welterweight champion Josh Taylor backs Garcia to knock Benn out on the night. “Boxing ability-wise, I think Ryan Garcia probably knocks him out,” the Scot told Boxing News.
“I think that Garcia is the better boxer; he’s quicker, he’s sharper, he’s got more experience. Conor Benn has done well, and he has improved a hell of a lot, and he is bigger and stronger than Garcia.
“But going off that last performance [against Regis Prograis], I don’t think Garcia has anything to worry about. I think Garcia knocks him out going off that last performance.”
Simon Jordan – Garcia win
TalkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan has Garcia as the favourite to win the fight, giving Benn no shot at the title. Speaking on the talkBOXING podcast, Jordan explained: “It’s about levels and with respect to Conor, going into a ring against a completely dehydrated and demoralised Chris Eubank Jr and going in against Ryan Garcia, who has fought at this level [is different].
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“We are talking about levels here. Are you all really making a case for Conor Benn to win this fight, because I can’t see that?”
Terence Crawford – Benn win
Former boxer Terence Crawford explained to DAZN that “big shots” will take Garcia out against Benn. He said: “I think Conor Benn.
“I think Rolly [Romero] showed us all that if you don’t get hit by the left hook and you land your big shots, you can neutralise Ryan. I think Conor Benn, going in with a great game plan, can be victorious.”
Shakur Stevenson – Garcia win
Shakur Stevenson believes Garcia will get the win, whether it’s a close fight or a big knockout. While on the Ariel Helwani Show, he said: “I think Ryan beats him.
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“I don’t know [if it will be competitive]. It’s hard to say with Ryan; Ryan is so wishy-washy. It may be competitive; it may be Ryan by a wash.”
Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre – Benn win
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, boxing trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre claims that Benn will be just fine in the ring against Garcia. He said: “I think if Benn trains the way he’s supposed to train, and brings the fight like he did with Chris, I think he’ll be all right.
“He’s got to be the Conor that fought Chris and not the Conor that fought [Regis Prograis in April].”
Carl Frampton – Benn win
Two-time world champion Carl Frampton told Ring Magazine that while the bout will be “competitive,” Benn’s tenacity will give him a shot at the title. The DAZN pundit said: “I think it’s a good fight, a competitive fight. A lot of people have Garcia as a heavy favourite. I have him as a favourite but not a heavy favourite. It wouldn’t surprise me if Benn wins.
“If you look at how Benn fights and his tenacity, that could give Garcia a lot of problems. Whether you believe it or not, [he quit] against Gervonta Davis, who is a smaller man than Benn.
“Benn isn’t Davis. They are different fighters but if he is quitting against Davis, I think someone with the tenacity of Benn could do the same, genuinely, but I do have Garcia as the favourite.
“His timing is very good, that left hook is very special and very fast. Benn is going to be there to be hit but don’t write him off – I think he has a chance.”
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George Groves – Garcia win
Former middleweight George Groves believes the weight cut will be Benn’s Achilles heel in this fight. He told Ring Magazine: “I’m really looking forward to this fight. I like both characters. I think it’s a great fight, a fantastic fight, between two huge personalities and I can see it delivering. With Benn and Garcia, almost every time they deliver in the ring.
“You want to make an honest and valid prediction, but sometimes you could be getting things drastically wrong just because there are so many variables. I’ve kept a close eye on bits and pieces of their build-up, I’ve seen the exchanges. Both carry themselves really well so they don’t really show any weaknesses as such.
“You can tell they’re not trying to give it all away and are definitely trying to play the psychological game. Garcia’s quite nonchalant. Benn, like always, backs himself entirely. It will be tough for Benn. He’s bigger than a 147lb fighter now. Anyone can make a weight, anyone can get there.
“To make the weight and perform at your very best are two different things. The weight suits Garcia more than Benn.”
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Kenny Ellis – Benn win
Speaking to FightHype, Kenny Ellis feels that Benn can take Garcia’s hits in the ring and come out victorious. The ex-boxer said: “I like Ryan, he’s a better boxer, but I think Benn has a better tolerance for pain. He might overcome Ryan’s boxing skills.
“If he can get past the left hook, he should be good.”
Chris Algieri – Garcia win
Chris Algieri, who Benn brutally knocked out five years ago in Liverpool, stated he was going for Garcia even without the weight cut limiting the Brit. He told Fight Hub TV: “I was picking Ryan either way, but the way he [Benn] is looking and the way he is talking, already saying that ‘I am not making 147lb again, I am not going to fight at 147lb again’ is not a good sign.
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“He also didn’t look very good in the Regis Prograis fight – and that was at [a catchweight of] 150lb.
“You have to lose another two-and-a-half pounds on the tail-end of the 20lb that you have already lost. He was posting pictures weighing 180lb, and now he has got to be 147lb – he looks like a completely different person.”
Teddy Atlas – Benn win
Boxing trainer Teddy Atlas has gone against his fellow American, backing Benn to have “a good chance.” Speaking on THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas, the commentator said: “Benn has to get in close. He is not going to win on the outside.
“He is going to have to go through a bad neighbourhood without getting countered by the left hook or the right hand and be hurt, because Garcia can hurt you and is a good counterpuncher.
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“If he can do that and not get tied up – because that is another issue – get in close and do work, keep his hands free, use his feet, half-steps back, whatever he has got to do to not get smothered, to not get tied up, if he can do that, I think he can win the fight. I give him a good chance as an underdog.”
Spencer Oliver – Garcia win
Commonwealth Games silver medallist Spencer Oliver believes that Benn’s “raw” nature could be his downfall. The 51-year-old said: “Benn has a problem because of the way he is raw and he jumps into the punches.
“Garcia has the quickest left hook you will ever see and that could be key. He can certainly whack as well, he carries real power. If Benn is jumping into punches, it creates double the power. It could be a big problem for him.”
Raul Marquez – Garcia win
Raul Marquez claims that Garcia fighting in bigger bouts will give him the upper hand to win the bout. He told ESPN: “Ryan has fought way better opposition compared to Conor. Benn has fought Chris Eubank Jr., a Regis Prograis on the way down and Chris Algieri.
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“I mean, that’s who Conor Benn’s beat. Ryan has been in there with way better fighters like Mario Barrios, Devin Haney, Oscar Duarte and Gervonta “Tank” Davis. Ryan wins in the middle rounds by knockout. I think it’ll go more than five rounds. I think it ends sometime from the seventh through the ninth rounds.”
Sergio Mora – Garcia win
Ex-world champion Sergio Mora continues the shouts for Garcia but claims the fight is only popular due to the fame surrounding the fighters’ names. He told ESPN: “Yeah, this is going to be a popular fight as far as the two names go. That’s the reason these two are fighting, because of their names and popularity and what they can sell.
“But as far as the fight goes, I think it’s going to be one-sided. I think Garcia is just going to be too big, too strong, too fast and too young for Benn. The difference in this fight is going to be weight. Benn is making the sacrifice to get a huge payday and a huge fight by going down two divisions in weight.
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“And fighters that have done that look like s*** and then blame the weight. They still get paid, though, and they still get another fight because all they have to do is blame the weight. KO. I think the sixth-, seven-round knockout. I don’t see it going into the later rounds. I definitely don’t see it going to a decision.”
Jamaine Ortiz – Garcia win
Speaking to ESPN, Jamaine Ortiz has backed his fellow American fighter to get the win. He said: “I think it’s going to be an entertaining fight. They both come to fight, especially Conor. They both look a little bit weight drained this week, so we’re going to see how that affects them, but they’re both looking pretty much the same.
“I think both of them are going to be susceptible to getting hurt. I definitely think we’re going to see some wobbly legs and probably a knockdown. I’m going to go for Garcia. I’m going to go for the American. I’m going to say decision.”
Said Taghmaoui – Garcia win
French actor and boxing fan Said Taghmaoui states that “pressure” is the only way Benn could win the fight, but backs Garcia overall to retain his title. He told ESPN: “For me, the only way Conor can win the fight is by applying pressure, pressure and more pressure.
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“And even then, Garcia is a counter guy and he’s really fast and he hits super hard. Garcia is a real fighter and he’s a world champion right now. And remember one thing: Styles make fights. This is one definition of that. I’m going for Garcia in this one.”
CCTV captured the moment the victim thought he’s been punched in the back and legs but instead suffered three knife wounds
06:00, 12 Sep 2026
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A warehouse operator who stabbed a man on the dancefloor of a Belfast nightclub in a revenge attack has been jailed for 27 months.
Judge Natalie Pinkerton told Mohamed Abdul Hakeem that he would spend an identical period on supervised licence on his release from custody.
The 20-year-old, of Airfield Heights in West Belfast, had previously pleaded guilty to a single charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Belfast Crown Court heard on Friday that on the evening of Sunday, August 31, 2024, the victim was out for the evening with some friends at Ollies nightclub in Waring Street.
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It was the prosecution case that at around 2.20am the following morning the defendant approached his victim from behind and appeared to punch him in the back, before striking him a further three times to the lower back and legs.
A prosecution lawyer told the court that the incident was caught on CCTV cameras in the nightclub.
The victim had sustained three stab wounds: One to his back, and two to his lower left leg.
Judge Pinkerton heard the victim approached security who called the police and an ambulance. The injured party was taken to hospital where he received three stitches in the wound to his back and three stitches to one of the wounds in his left. The other leg wound did not require stitches.
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The prosecution lawyer said police attended the nightclub around 2.32am and noticed blood on the dance floor and in anteroom where the victim had been taken by security staff to await the ambulance.
Officers viewed the CCTV of the incident at the nightclub and then returned to seize it later that day, September 1.
A detective constable who reviewed the CCTV recognised the assailant as Mohamed Abdul Hakeem. She had dealt with him four weeks earlier after he too had been stabbed. CCTV from around the area was examined which showed the defendant making his way to Ollies and then leaving on foot.
Hakeem was arrested a few days later on September 3 and was interviewed in the presence of his solicitor. He accepted that he had gone to Ollies nightclub on Saturday night/Sunday morning but made no comment on whether he knew the victim and if he had stabbed him.
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In an agreed basis of plea document between the prosecution and defence, it was accepted that Hakeem was the victim of a previous knife attack from the man he had stabbed. The defendant and his friend were in a flat when they were attacked and he needed 15 stitches for his injuries.
Hakeem said on the evening in question he had gone into town for the night to meet a friend and when he went to Ollies he saw his attacker was present.
He accepted that he lifted a piece of broken glass and attacked the man on the dancefloor in what was described as a “spontaneous and short-lived” incident.
In written defence submission from barrister Sean Mullan, he accepted the seriousness of the offence and that the custody threshold had been passed.
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“The background certainly does not excuse the defendant’s conduct, but it does provide important context to what happened,” wrote Mr Mullan.
“We ask the court to look at this incident through the lens of a young male who had been attacked himself, who was an 18-year-old teenager at the time and all the maturity that goes with that. He has no previous convictions.”
He outlined how Hakeem had come to Northern Ireland from Somalia at the age of six because of the civil war in his home country.
Mr Mullan’s submissions added that Hakeem was in a stable relationship with his partner and works full time as a warehouse operative, working 12 hour shifts.
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Passing the determinate custodial sentence of 54 months, Judge Pinkerton said: “This was a revenge attack with a weapon, whereby three sets of stab wounds were occasioned, meaning three blows at least, which could be seen in a busy, crowded nightclub.”
Partridge Lakes in Culcheth – less than 30 minutes away will transform into a wonderful magical weird witchy world -from Saturday, October 3 October to Sunday,November 1.
Tickets are now on sale and demand is expected to be high following previous sell-out dates.
The enchanted land will be set over the picturesque site nestled in the idyllic Cheshire countryside.
Set against a stunning lakeside backdrop, guests will journey along an enchanting Halloween storybook trail, meeting a colourful cast of live characters who bring every chapter to life through magical encounters, interactive performances and immersive storytelling.
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This year’s new story, The Rise of the Ancient Skeleton King, sees an ancient ruler awaken from centuries of slumber to seize control of Halloweenville. Now, brave adventurers of all ages are being called upon to embark on an unforgettable quest to defeat the Skeleton King and restore peace to the magical town.
Throughout the adventure, families can explore a variety of themed worlds – encounter the mischievous Skeleton Pirates and discover their hidden secrets, train alongside the brave Skeleton Knights inside Halloweenville Castle and learn the art of sword fighting, visit the witches’ hollow to brew magic potions, and step inside Halloweenville Town Library where aspiring wizards can learn spells and discover ancient magic.
Halloweenville 2025 (Image: Brian Roberts)
Join the quest. Defeat the Ancient Skeleton King. Save Halloweenville.
The people behind the event say it has been created especially for families and young children, Halloweenville offers spooky fun without the scares, making it the perfect autumn day or evening out for visitors of all ages.
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And that every scene has been carefully designed to spark imagination and create lasting family memories, with attention to detail, atmospheric lighting, themed soundscapes and interactive experiences. And every corner of the village is guaranteed to transport visitors into a magical world where adventure, laughter and imagination come together in a celebration of Halloween suitable for all ages.
Halloweenville 2025 (Image: Brian Roberts)
As part of Halloweenville guests can also enjoy an incredible selection of food and drink including freshly made authentic stone-baked pizzas, loaded nachos, delicious, sweet crêpes, seasonal treats, pumpkin spiced lattes, hot chocolate and a fully licensed bar serving alcoholic beverages for adults.
And as the sun sets over the lake, visitors can gather around crackling fire pits to toast marshmallows while enjoying live music each evening, creating the perfect cosy autumn atmosphere to round off their magical adventure.
Event manager and Halloweenville organiser Barbara Ikin said: “As a parent myself, I know how special it is to find days out where children can completely lose themselves in their imagination, while parents get to enjoy making those memories together. That’s always been at the heart of Halloweenville.
“We want to create a Halloween that’s full of magic, adventure and excitement without being too frightening for younger children. Every year we try to make the experience a little bigger and a little more magical, and we’re really excited for families to discover this year’s adventure with the Ancient Skeleton King.”
Manchester City have brought in summer signings who are “desperate to win” and the whole squad is “buying into the idea” of new manager Enzo Maresca, says new captain Ruben Dias.
City spent a Premier League record £458m during the recent transfer window, with incomings including midfield trio Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi.
But the club also recouped more than £300m in sales and lost the experience of players such as 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, former captain Bernardo Silva and England international John Stones.
Dias has been part of City’s leadership group since joining from Benfica for £65m in 2020 and has now been handed the armband by Maresca.
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“In terms of the role I have, it goes down to trying to be the best version of yourself, and in terms of that, nothing has changed,” Dias told the Football Interview.
“So many people have left and so many winners have left, and now new people have joined with a lot of ambition and people that are desperate to win and that is also what makes the club keep on going.
“Others, Enzo included, that have been here and have won so much here and can very clearly point the way of how to do it and the things that are the most important and undeniable.
“But then as well, [there is the] ambition from us that are here and still want to be here and keep on winning. They are joining and full of ambition and with all the dreams in the world. The mix of these makes it work.”
The attack took place after the 30-year-old dad of three went to a hotel where he consumed a large amount of alcohol and cocaine and took his shirt off
06:00, 12 Sep 2026
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A three-and-a-half year sentence has been imposed upon a man who injured an off-duty policeman during a episode of cocaine-induced psychosis.
Kyle Knell was handed the sentence at Belfast Crown Court on Friday by Judge Philip Gilpin who divided the term equally between prison and licence.
From Tynan Drive in Newtownabbey, the 30-year old father of three was told his actions caused “significant harm to others.”
On January 6, 2025 Knell went to a hotel with friends where he consumed a large amount of alcohol and cocaine. His behaviour was erratic and he was captured on CCTV running through the reception area with no shirt on.
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After leaving the hotel at around 8.45pm, he flagged down a motorist and got dropped off in a residential street in Co Antrim.
A female who recognised Knell was sitting in a parked car outside her parent’s home talking her to police officer partner on the phone when Knell approached the vehicle.
He started banging on her car door shouting “They’re trying to kill me … help me.”
The woman told her partner what was happening and he told her to hang up and get her father. Knell then approached the parents’ front door and pushed his way in shouting “Help me, they’re going to shoot me for ten grand.”
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After Knell began vomiting blood an ambulance was called and a short time later the female’s partner arrived at the scene.
Knell shouted: “He’s here to shoot me” then lunged at the off-duty officer and put his hands around his waist.
The officer placed his hand on the grip of his Glock and pushed the gun down to keep it from Knell’s reach. Knell then noticed the weapon and made a grab for it and during a struggle which ensued, the officer slipped on the tiled floor.
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As he steadied himself, he saw that Knell had the holster in both hands and he managed to release the gun from the holster.
As the struggle over the gun continued, the officer tried to force it to the floor as Knell was pointing it at his stomach.
The weapon was then discharged, a bullet ricocheted off the floor and fragments stuck the officer in his thigh and his partner in her ankle.
Despite being injured, the officer was able to jam the gun and wrench it from Knell’s grasp.
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Knell then fled to a nearby house and after entering by the back door, he encountered a 17-year old male sitting with his 14-year old sister.
He told the male teenager “I’ve been shot and people are after me” and after locking the back door, he got on his knees and begged the teen for help.
As the teen rang the PSNI, Knell grabbed his phone and began talking erratically before ending the call. Police arrived promptly and heard Knell shouting for help from inside the property.
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As officers approached the front door, Knell grabbed the 17-year old to stop him from answering. After a few minutes, the teen managed to open the door and Knell was arrested then taken to Antrim Area Hospital.
He was interviewed on January 9 and 10, 2025 and accepted he had consumed a substantial amount of cocaine in the hours before the incident and had experienced paranoia.
When asked what happened concerning the gun, Knell claimed he struggled with the off-duty officer as he believed his life was in danger.
He was also asked if he had spiralled in the period leading up to the incident to which he replied “I wouldn’t say the word spiral, I would say enjoying myself.”
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Knell subsequently pleaded guilty to a total of six charges including two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing a firearm in suspicious circumstances and false imprisonment.
Following his pleas, Knell told a Probation Officer he knew his actions would have frightened those involved and that he wished to apologise.
Judge Philip Gilpin told Knell that after reading statement written by his victims, it was “evident that you did cause significant harm to others.”
The Belfast Recorder also noted defence submissions that set out Knell’s diagnosis of PTSD, his addiction to cocaine and a conclusion that on the night in question Knell was experiencing an episode of drug-induced psychosis.
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Also taken into consideration by the Judge’s was Knell’s troubled childhood, his previously clear criminal record and two character references.
Saying “the custody threshold has quite clearly been passed in this case”, Judge Gilpin imposed the four-and-a-half year sentence and Knell was led from the dock in handcuffs by prison staff.
Yet even by the underwhelming standards he has set since coming to power, he has let himself down badly by allowing the Green Party to dictate his actions.
It doesn’t require the services of a mind reader to work out that he fears a backlash from eco-zealots who could help Greens leader Zack Polanski win the seat vacated by Sir Keir Starmer.
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The move speaks volumes about Mr Burnham’s blinkered outlook and (lack of) leadership qualities. But it also says much about his contempt for the people who pay his wages.
Delaying the Jackdaw announcement will have real consequences for job creation and Britain’s energy security. Yet Mr Burnham has clearly decided that these can be sacrificed – at least temporarily – on the altar of political expediency of the most cynical kind.
That it comes after Labour’s move to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank – a move largely designed to curry favour with pro-Gaza fanatics in the environmental lobby – only adds insult to injury.
It begs the question as to who is really calling the shots in No10 and whether the PM is, in fact, effectively letting us be governed by proxy by the Greens.
The Prime Minister has postponed plans to approve drilling at the North Sea’s Jackdaw gas field until after next month’s Holborn and St Pancras by-election
A very shoddy Bill
Regardless of where they stand in the assisted dying debate, everyone directly affected deserves a sympathetic hearing.
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But there can be little doubt that the Bill rejected in Westminster yesterday was deeply flawed. Among its many shortcomings was a failure to offer adequate protection to the elderly, disabled and other vulnerable groups.
Now that it has been thrown out of Parliament, we can a breathe a sigh of relief and hope it has been consigned for good to the legislative dustbin. But it is frightening that it came within a whisker of being passed in the Commons.
The narrow margin in yesterday’s vote doesn’t reflect well on our MPs. And the fact that such a shoddy piece of work made it as far as it did is a very bad look indeed for Labour.
MPs voted by 286 to 270, a majority of 16, to reject the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at its Second Reading
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Catalogue of errors
The litany of sickening migrant crime continues.
In the latest case, Rasheed Rahman – a 21-year-old Sudanese national who arrived here in the back of a lorry – stabbed a grandfather to death in a random attack.
Rahman had been bailed by police two days earlier after punching and kicking passers-by on a canal towpath.
Although he had been involved in several violent incidents, he was given the knife used in the fatal attack by accommodation support staff. It also emerged that he had previously made a successful asylum application.
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This catalogue of errors raises all sorts of questions that need answers. But the most pressing one is this: what exactly does Mr Burnham intend to do about the migrant crisis?
Rasheed Rahman murdered grandfather Mark Carroll on 10 April 2024 in park in Camden, London
The collision was first reported at about 1.38pm, according to an ambulance service spokesperson.
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An ambulance service spokesperson said: “The incident involves a road traffic collision on Gaskell Street.
“The incident was first reported around 1:38pm. It involves a motorcyclist who is going to be taken to hospital.”
The car that was involved in the collision with the motorcycle was badly damaged, with much of the front bumper, as well as the licence plate, being torn off.
(Image: NQ)
Police were at the scene.
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An ambulance was present, and investigations continued during the afternoon.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “The incident was a motorbike and car road traffic collision. One man taken to hospital with injuries not deemed life threatening or changing.”
Crews remained at the scene until around 3pm, when the man was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries.
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