David Watson has paid tribute to ‘his little animation tester’ Charlie who died last year aged five in his new video game

A grieving dad has paid a touching tribute to his five-year-old daughter who died last year in a new video game based around the July bonfires in Belfast.

Charlie Watson passed away on July 5, 2025, following a nearly five year long battle with Neuroblastoma breaking the hearts of her parents and siblings who miss the happiness and creative that she brought into their lives everyday.

Her father David, an independent animator and game developer, said he used to enjoy making animations and games for Charlie and she loved to test them for him and give him feedback on how he could make things better. She also used video games to help her escape from the difficulties that she faced during her cancer treatment, similar to how David would go to Rick’s Arcade growing up on the Shankill Road to get away from the world.

Following Charlie’s passing he said “didn’t know where he was in life” and was struggling to cope with the grief of losing his little girl. Then around five months ago he was asked to create a fire animation for someone which led to him developing the idea for a game based around bonfire building and his childhood growing up on the Shankill, with the project helping him escape from his grief while honouring his daughter’s memory.

On July 5, 2026, the first anniversary of Charlie’s death, David completed the game, Superprod, with the five-year-old appearing throughout it on the background billboards.

Speaking to Belfast Live David said: “When I was growing up on the Shankill, Rick’s Arcade was where I went to escape from the world. It wasn’t just the troubles going on but there was the AIDs crisis and the threat of nuclear war, it was mad. But at the arcade you were in a completely different place.

“When Charlie was going through her treatment, which was more than anything I ever had to deal with, she used video games to escape from it all too and was able to stay our happy little girl right to the end.

“She was always a very creative kid and loved checking out animation projects or little games that I would make for her. She was my little tester and always wanted to get involved.

“For months after she passed, I didn’t know what was going on, but eventually I had to get back to work. I was asked by someone to create a animation for a fire and while making it I got the idea for a game about bonfire building and my childhood growing up on the Shankill when I was around Charlie’s age.

“It is not aimed at being divisive or anything and is really just meant to capture the way you saw the world before you knew about politics and everything else going on in the world.

“When I have been making the game, it has allowed me to escape again, when I am doing that, I am not really here. I then finished it on the first anniversary of her death, and I hope that it can be a little tribute to her and the great community that I grew up in.”

Set on Bonfire Night, players take control of Superprod after mysterious little green men steal his teddy bears and place them atop towering bonfires across the neighbourhood. Along the way, players encounter a surreal version of Belfast filled with recognisable local symbols, humour and references that reflect childhood memories of the area.

Designed with simple one-touch mobile controls, Superprod is accessible to experienced gamers and newcomers alike.

You can play Superprod now at www.tinyflea.com

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The City of York Council has confirmed the closures, which are to allow for essential maintenance works in various locations.

Plainville Lane and Bull Lane in Wigginton will also be closed for telecom repair works between 8am and 6pm daily from today (Monday, July 6), to Thursday, July 9.

This affects the stretch between the south-western boundary of Jacobella Lodge and a point 182 metres north-west of said boundary.

Jockey Lane will be closed from 7am to 5pm daily from today (Monday, July 6), to Sunday, July 19, for highway resurfacing works.

The closure affects Monks Cross Link, Vangarde Way, Kathryn Avenue, and a section of Jockey Lane itself.

Brompton Road in Clifton will be shut for water mains works from 8am on Wednesday, July 8, until 6pm on Friday, July 10.

The closure affects the area between the eastern boundary of property No. 4 and its junction with Lister Way.

• For more information on this notice, click here.
• For more notices affecting YOUR area, visit our Public Notice Portal at publicnoticeportal.uk/york-press

Public right of way No. 14/12/10 and Kerver Lane in Dunnington will be closed for drainage works from 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, from today (Monday, July 6), to Friday, July 31.

The closure affects the footpath between its junction with Petercroft Lane and Eastfield Lane, and a section of Kerver Lane.

The York Road Level Crossing in Strensall will be closed for railway maintenance works from 11pm on Sunday, July 12, until 6am on Monday, July 13.

Finally, public right of way No. 18/18/10 in Haxby, on Sandy Lane, will be closed for water mains works from 8am on Wednesday, July 15, until 5pm on Tuesday, July 21.

The closure affects the footpath between its junction with The Village and the southern boundary of property No. 100 The Village.

Alternative routes for diverted vehicles will be signposted throughout the works period.

Access for residents and emergency vehicles will be maintained where possible.

Charlie Kirk‘s accused killer Tyler Robinson was seen laughing in court as the conservative star’s widow Erika wept just feet away. 

Erika Kirk, dressed in all black, faced her husband’s alleged murderer for the first time Monday morning as he appeared before a Utah judge for a five-day preliminary hearing.

She had burst into tears before the hearing even started, according to the Daily Mail’s reporter in the courtroom.

She was accompanied by her rarely-seen in-laws, Robert and Kathryn Kirk.

Donald Trump Jr and his wife, Bettina Anderson Trump, showed up to support the sobbing widow and were seated in the front row.

Robinson, however, is said to have been laughing with his attorney Kathy Nester ahead of the proceeding, which will determine if he has to stand trial for Kirk’s murder. It is unclear what prompted his expression of mirth. 

The 23-year-old is charged with aggravated murder in the September 10 assassination of Kirk, who was shot dead while addressing a crowd of thousands during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.

The accused killer turned himself in after the shooting and prosecutors allege that he also sent a text message confession to his transgender partner.

He has not entered a plea in the case and attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence. The defense has sought to get the death penalty taken off the table.

Tyler Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in the September 10 assassination of Kirk, who was shot dead while addressing a crowd of thousands during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University

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Kirk’s parents and his widow all left the courtroom shortly after Utah Valley University police officer Chris Bagley began testifying about the moments the Turning Point USA founder was shot.

Bagley, the prosecution’s first witness said he could see the right side of Kirk’s body as he spoke on the college campus on September 10 last year.

Kirk was in the middle of answering a question when the officer heard a gunshot ring out. He saw people fleeing the area before police confirmed that they had had a suspect in custody over the radio. 

‘I saw him go to the left … I could no longer see the right side of his body,’ Bagley told the court. ‘Then everybody started getting up and started to run, more of a chaos situation.’

He then began assessing the crowd for injuries as he worked to ‘preserve the crime scene.’ 

After the shooting, Bagley went to the top of a nearby building where he saw a disturbance in the gravel that looked like a ‘sniper pad’, where someone might have been laying in a position that would allow them to shoot a weapon.

The officer told the court that there was a clear ‘line of sight’ from where Kirk was sat to the top of the Losee Center, where Robinson allegedly fired his rifle.

Erika leaned her head on a friend for comfort as the testimony was delivered. She wiped away her tears with a handkerchief. 

Robinson, with his attorney Kathy Nester, listens as evidence is presented at his pretrial hearing on Monday morning

Erika was accompanied by Charlie’s parents Kathryn and Robert Kirk, seen arriving at the Fourth District Courthouse

Kathryn Kirk, clutching a pocket-sized packet of tissues, listened to the testimony with her head bowed and eyes closed.

Robinson looked at the exhibits on the monitor and took notes.

Nester, during her cross-examination of Bagley, questioned him about the report he wrote after the shooting, including his observation about finding an empty pistol holster on the ground after the crowd fled.

Bagley acknowledged that he never took custody of the holster and doesn’t know if it was ever fingerprinted.

She asked Bagley if he ever attended a meeting to discuss how officers would keep people safe on the day of the shooting. The officer said he did not.

Bagley said there were six officers working that day. Thousands of people attended the event.

There were no metal detectors being used to screen the crowd, and no drones being used for security, Bagley said.

He also said there were no law enforcement officers on the roof, stairway or walkway when he arrived to work that day.

Kirk’s widow and parents all left the courtroom shortly after Utah Valley University police officer Chris Bagley, pictured, began testifying about the moments the activist was shot

The Kirks plan to attend the entire weeklong pretrial hearing for Robinson.

Ahead of the hearing, the family released a statement saying his death ‘irrevocably impacted our lives.’

‘Every court proceeding serves as a painful reminder of his death, and the loss that has irrevocably impacted our lives and the lives of his children,’ Erika said in the statement shared on X.

This week’s hearing marks the most significant presentation of evidence in Robinson’s case so far. 

After the hearing concludes, state District Judge Tony Graf must determine if the case should proceed. 

The judge previously denied a defense request to take the death penalty off the table after he held a prosecutor in contempt. 

A death sentence is an option in Utah only when a crime has aggravating circumstances. 

Prosecutors will argue in Robinson’s case that Kirk’s shooting endangered others in attendance.

Charlie Kirk speaks to a crowd during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 before he was shot dead

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Erika and Charlie Kirk with their two children

This week’s resembles a mini-trial, but prosecutors need only demonstrate that there are reasonable grounds to believe Robinson killed Kirk. 

The standard is lower than for a trial, where prosecutors must prove guilt ‘beyond a reasonable doubt.’

Prosecutors can use secondhand information, or hearsay, to help present their case. They expect to present between 40 and 50 exhibits during this week’s hearing.

Chief Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander told the judge that the state’s exhibits will include several videos of the September 10 shooting.

Prosecutors have said they also plan to present DNA evidence linking Robinson to the suspected murder weapon, autopsy findings and witness statements.

Robinson’s roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, is not expected to testify in person during the hearing.

But Twiggs will deliver a pre-recorded statement at the proceeding.

Twiggs, 22, who is transgender and goes by the name ‘Luna,’ was living with Robinson during the time of the alleged murder.

After Robinson turned himself in to authorities, federal investigators learned that he sent Twiggs a flurry of text messages during his 33 hours on the run, disclosing his alleged involvement in the shooting and his efforts to evade capture.

Erika broke down in tears at Charlie Kirk’s memorial on September 21 last year as she publicly forgave her husband’s killer

In addition to the alleged confession note, Robinson reportedly texted his roommate that he targeted Kirk because he ‘had enough of his hatred,’ prosecutors have said.

Twiggs has never been charged or implicated in the shooting, and has instead cooperated with authorities. 

Before his death, Kirk and the organization he co-founded, Turning Point USA, galvanized the conservative youth vote to help President Donald Trump win a second term.

The Republican president has said he hopes Robinson receives the death penalty.

Erika Kirk said during her husband’s memorial service that she forgives Robinson.

‘[Charlie] wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life,’ Erika said at the memorial, sparking a standing ovation and roars from the crowd of more than 60,000 people.

‘That man, that young man, I forgive him,’ she added, while breaking into tears.

Their car plunged 100 feet into a ravine off the A7 motorway in Malaga last month

An Irish couple who tragically lost their lives in a road tragedy in Spain will be laid to rest this Thursday.

Michaela Newcombe, Amy McCullagh and her brother-in-law Mark McCullagh, who were all from Mullingar in Co Westmeath, died when their car plunged 100 feet into a ravine off the A7 motorway in Malaga in the early hours of Sunday morning, June 28.

Mark’s brother, Ian McCullagh, 35, who was married to Amy, was seriously injured but survived the horror crash. He remains critically ill in hospital in Spain, reports the Irish Mirror.

Michaela will lay in repose at Gilsenan’s Funeral Home in Westmeath on Wednesday from 3.30pm concluding with prayers at 6.30pm.

Her funeral mass will take place on Thursday at 11am in the Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar followed by cremation at Lakelands Crematorium Cavan at 2.30pm.

Mark will lay in repose at the family home at 231, Greenpark Meadows on Wednesday from 4pm to 6pm. His family have requested the house be private at all other times.

His funeral mass will also take place on Thursday at 2pm in the Cathedral of Christ the King followed by burial in Ballyglass Cemetery.

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The heartbroken families of Michaela, Mark and Amy have also united in an emotional appeal asking people to support the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, which is helping bring their loved ones home so they can be laid to rest.

Their grieving families are asking people to support the trust, whose vital work helps return the remains of Irish people who die overseas, giving grieving families the chance to bring their loved ones home.

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

“This can sap the enthusiasm of even the most dedicated volunteer” says founder

An appeal has been made to Belfast Council after a man was caught in the act trashing a much treasured restored alleyway in South Belfast.

Volunteers who set up the charming “Foxglove Alley” in Stranmillis have called upon the council to adopt a policy of emergency clean ups for those alleys that have been restored by the local community. In the last ten days the alley has been rubbished six times.

CCTV footage was taken of a man in his 60’s lifting several full binbags taken from a nearby bin, and scattering the contents all over the alley, then scavenging for keepsakes among the rubbish.

READ MORE: Irish signs to be put up in unionist parts of Belfast streets after U-turn

READ MORE: Unionist parties stay silent at City Hall as Belfast June violence is condemned

Foxglove Alley is a volunteer-led community project dedicated to regenerating an adopted alleyway since late 2024. Residents meet monthly, sometimes more frequently, to garden, tidy and maintain the space.

Founder Olivia McIntyre has called for a dedicated team from City Hall that can be contacted to advise and respond quickly to similar acts.

She said: “What was once an unloved, neglected alley that people actively avoided has been transformed into a welcoming community hub where neighbours connect and take pride in their local environment.

“The project’s success is driven by a small but dedicated group of volunteers whose resilience and determination have helped overcome ongoing challenges such as fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour. Their efforts continue to improve the area, strengthen community spirit and create a greener, more welcoming place for everyone.”

She said: “What we’ve learned from this experience is that one person can undo our group’s many hours of hard work in seconds. This can sap the enthusiasm of even the most dedicated volunteer. We rely on a small but mighty team of volunteers to give up their time to help.

“That’s why the support of the council is essential. We’re hoping the council will appoint a dedicated team that can advise and respond quickly to this sort of event to nip such behaviour in the bud.

“Without this support, we fear many projects will stall at the early stages. That would be such a pity because we know just how positive an impact this and other alleyways have made. All the work is worth it, we see it every time we walk down our now beautiful, flowering alleyway.”

She added: “The council is aiming to achieve the goal of transforming hundreds of alleyways under the Belfast Alleyway Transformation programme. Building community resilience will be essential if the scheme is to leave a permanent legacy across the city.”

She said: “This recent spate of anti-social behaviour has been very disheartening, but hasn’t weakened our resolve, if anything it has made us more determined than ever to look after the space.”

Belfast has been selected as one of only 24 cities worldwide to receive $1 million (approximately £750,000) through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge 2025 – 2026, supporting an ambitious programme to transform how the council and neighbourhoods work together to manage and improve the network of alleyways across the city. Residents can contact Email alleywaytransformation@belfastcity.gov.uk to express an interest in the funding.

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

By LEWIS BROWNING, SPORTS REPORTER and IZZY MARTIN and OLLIE SALT AT DALLAS STADIUM

Updated: 20:10 BST, 6 July 2026

A parish council said the concerns are ‘being taken seriously’

Police have increased patrols in a Cambridgeshire village following several concerns that were raised regarding anti-social behaviour. Cottenham Parish Council said it is aware of “many residents” being worried about the recent anti-social behaviour in the village.

It said these concerns are “being taken seriously”. Cambridgeshire Police said they are aware of recent incidents in Cottenham involving damage to local facilities, including the cricket club, play equipment and a shed.

Police were also called to reports of a quad bike and motorbike being “ridden recklessly” across a village recreation ground on Wednesday, June 3. Cottenham Parish Council previously claimed that the incident caused damage and created a “serious safety concern”.

The council, who said the vehicles were being driven “recklessly”, reported the incident to the police who received “quite a few” calls about it. Officers attended but those involved had left the area, according to Cambridgeshire Police.

In a new statement, Cottenham Parish Council said: “We know many residents are concerned about the recent anti-social behaviour in the village, and we’d like to reassure everyone that these concerns are being taken seriously.

“The Parish Council has been in regular contact with our Neighbourhood Policing Team, and we are working closely together regarding the issues that have been reported.”

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “Anti-social behaviour is a priority for many of our neighbourhood policing teams across Cambridgeshire, and we know it’s something residents want us to focus on.

“While we don’t believe Cottenham has higher levels of anti-social behaviour than similar villages, we are aware of a small number of recent reports involving damage to local facilities, including the cricket club, play equipment and a shed.”

The police force and parish council has urged anyone who experiences anti-social behaviour to report it to Cambridgeshire Police by calling 101 or reporting it online. Cottenham Parish Council added: “Every report helps to build a clearer picture and supports any action that may be taken.”

Two men have been arrested and police are appeal for witnesses to come forward.

Officers were called to Coniston Avenue, Farnworth, at around 4.30pm yesterday, July 5.

A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault, while a 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of affray.

During the disturbance, police say a man in his 30s sustained injuries consistent with a stabbing and later went to the hospital.

His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing, and he has since been discharged from the hospital.

Detective Inspector Neil Moss of Bolton CID said: “We are currently investigating all aspects of the incident and are urging anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward.

“We understand that incidents of this nature can cause concern, and we’d like to reassure the community our investigation is progressing at pace.”

Zendaya nailed method dressing yet again as she channeled her The Odyssey character Athena at the star-studded world premiere held at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on Monday night.

The actress, 29, turned heads in a dramatic sculpted corset as she posed up a storm at the event ahead of the film’s July 17 release.

Zendaya plays Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, warfare, and handicraft in Christopher Nolan’s epic film.

Her character serves as the divine protector and guide for Odysseus (Matt Damon) during his arduous journey home from the Trojan War.

The white corset top of her dress then flowed into a sheer sparkly skirt and a matching choker completed the look.

Her husband Tom Holland, who plays Telemachus – Odysseus’s son and the prince of Ithaca, was also in attendance and looked smart in a dark blue suit. The pair confirmed they were married last month.

Pregnant leading lady Anne Hathaway, 43, meanwhile dazzled in a strapless blue gown which showed off her blossoming bump. She plays Penelope in the movie.

She opted for two stunning themed outfits as she posed with her co-stars at the premiere in London

The actress, 29, turned heads in a dramatic sculpted corset as she posed up a storm at the event ahead of the film’s July 17 release

Zendaya’s husband Tom Holland , who plays Telemachus – Odysseus’s son and the prince of Ithaca, was also in attendance and looked smart in a dark blue suit

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The entire cast were present at the event including Lupita Nyong’o, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Matt Damon and his wife, Robert Pattinson, Himesh Patel, director Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas.

The Christopher-fronted film is an adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic the Odyssey, which sees the titular Greek King embark on a perilous journey home after the Trojan War in a bid to reunite with his beloved wife Penelope.

Despite the film being in the trusted hands of Oscar-winning director Christopher, fans haven’t quite got to grips with the casting yet.

In what has been dubbed his ‘most extreme project to date’ alongside an incredibly starry cast – the pressure for Christopher to win over critics is like no other.

Already known for his impressive art and high-budget fare, Christopher’s latest film could prove to be his most ambitious yet, with the $250million budget the most expensive of his career, his first shot entirely on IMAX 70mm cameras.

Lead stars Matt and Anne have joined forces with Zendaya, Tom, Lupita, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, and Travis Scott as well as Elliot Page.

Matt is starring as the titular hero Odysseus, while Devil Wears Prada icon Anne plays his devoted queen, who is forced to fend off potential suitors in her husband’s absence.

Yet the film has received heaps of attention for all the wrong reasons – sparking backlash over its ‘bizarre’ casting, being accused of fuelling ‘brutal repression’ and sending Elon Musk into meltdown.

Zendaya plays Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, warfare, and handicraft in Christopher Nolan’s epic film

Her character serves as the divine protector and guide for Odysseus (Matt Damon) during his arduous journey home from the Trojan War

The white corset top of her dress then flowed into a sheer sparkly skirt and a matching choker completed the look

Zendaya is no stranger to method dressing 

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She added a silver choker 

She wore her hair in pretty braids 

She later changed into a skimpy leaf design dress (L-R: Charlize Theron, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, and Lupita Nyong’o) 

The skimpy green dress showed off her toned midriff

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Pregnant leading lady Anne Hathaway, 43, meanwhile dazzled in a strapless blue gown which showed off her blossoming bump. She plays Penelope in the movie

She looked happier than ever after announcing her pregnancy last month

She looked stunning in the blue chiffon dress

Anne announced her pregnancy last month

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She added a pop of colour with a red lip

Charlize Theron dazzled in a black velvet dress with dramatic white gloves 

She showed off plenty of leg in the daring number 

Christopher recently defended his decision to cast Kenyan actress Nyong’o in the movie after Musk called the casting ‘historically inaccurate’.

Lupita, 43, is set to play Helen of Troy’s sister Clytemnestra, and was named People Magazine’s ‘Most Beautiful Woman’ in 2014 following her triumphant Best Supporting Actress Oscar win for 12 Years A Slave.

Nolan defended his castings, saying: ‘Hopefully they’ll enjoy the film, even if they don’t agree with everything. The oldest depictions of Homeric characters tend to be depicted in the manner of people living in Homer’s time…

‘So there’s a pretty strong case there for portraying things that way because that’s the way the first audience received the story.’

Musk was called out for his remarks about the casting in January by The View host Sunny Hostin. 

She said: ‘Anyone can portray a fictional character. It doesn’t have to be a white person that plays this part.’

Matt Damon and his wife Luciana posed together 

The pair looked as loved-up as ever 

Lupita Nyong’o poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film The Odyssey

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She put on a racy display in a sheer silver number 

She looked great in the revealing dress

Travis Scott attending the Odyssey world premiere in Leicester Square

Jameela Jamil and her partner James Blake were also in attendance 

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Mia Goth wore a sparkly white dress and black heels to boost her height 

Robert Pattinson wore a smart light grey suit

Tom looked in great spirits as he arrived 

Elliot Page also stars in the film and wore a brown suit 

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Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron, and Zendaya

The main cast all posed together

Tom looked in great spirits as he posed with Anne and Lupita

She added: ‘I think we have to call a thing a thing when we’re talking about someone like Elon Musk… We know what this is. 

‘He is a white supremacist. In my view, he is a racist.’

Emmy-winner Alec Baldwin has since weighed in on Musk’s anti-woke campaign against Nolan’s movie. 

In a public display of support for Lupita and Nolan, Baldwin wrote on Instagram: ‘Dear Elon… but she IS the most beautiful woman in the world…Alec’.