Warning: Graphic image of burns

Beachgoers in Wales have described suffering severe burns to their feet after walking on hot sand where they had earlier been enjoying barbecues.

Their injuries, which landed them in hospital and off work, have prompted warnings from medics at Morriston Hospital Burns’ Centre.

Sam Knight was unable to walk for a fortnight after burning himself after a family barbecue at Cefn Sidan beach at Pembrey Country Park earlier this year. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.

The 27-year-old said: “It was a family gathering and it was a windy day so there was sand in everyone’s eyes. When we’d finished with the barbecue I used tongs to move it to one side and extinguished it, so I thought it was safe.

“But the patch of sand it had been on was still boiling, and after I stepped on it I had to be carried off the beach. I went to the Minor Injury Unit at Neath Port Talbot Hospital but they just patched me up and told me there the burns were so deep I needed to go to the Burns’ Centre at Morriston. I couldn’t walk for a couple of weeks so I had to take a fortnight off work.”

When he had recovered enough to return to the beach, Sam, a mechanical engineer, decided to put his work skills into practice and returned to the shore to carry out an experiment.

Sam fired up two disposable barbecues, placing one directly onto the sand, and another raised 40mm off it. When he measured the sand under the first, it recorded a temperature of 244°. The barbecue raised from the sand kept it close to the ambient temperature under the conditions tested.

“The packaging advised raising the barbecue from the surface, but it didn’t provide any way to do so, and suggested locating some bricks at the location it was being used,” Sam said.

Melanie Holbrook was also badly burned after using a disposable barbecue at another Welsh beach. Visiting Oxwich Bay on Gower with her husband she said they had also used a disposable barbecue and disposed of it sensibly to make it safe.

However, moments later she too stepped on the sand where the barbecue had been, feeling instant excruciating pain under her feet.

She said: “When I looked, the bottoms of my feet were burnt yellow. The heat from the barbecue had gone straight into the sand. I had no idea that could happen.

“My husband poured water over my feet and ran for help. They got my feet into a container with cold water and moved me over to the shade with my feet under running water until the ambulance came.

“I ended up in A&E in Morriston Hospital and then in the Burns’ Centre. The skin on my feet was badly blistered and had to be removed. I had weeks of treatment, with regular dressing changes and check-ups. I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone.

“It took weeks for the skin on my feet to heal and it took about four to five months before I could properly walk again and I still get some sensitivity even now.”

By chance, Swansea Bay UHB physiotherapist David Fligelstone was close by on the beach when Mrs Holbrook experienced her burns, and was one of those who came to her aid.

He said: “Having worked both as an RNLI lifeguard and later as a physiotherapist on the Burns Unit at Morriston Hospital, I’ve seen first-hand the devastating impact these injuries can have.

“What makes them particularly concerning is that the danger is often invisible – once a disposable BBQ has been removed, the sand beneath can remain hot enough to cause serious burns for a considerable time.

“These injuries are entirely preventable. A simple action, such as thoroughly cooling the sand with water after removing a disposable BBQ, can prevent severe injuries, particularly in children. This summer we want people to enjoy our beaches safely while helping to prevent avoidable injuries before they happen.”

Consultant surgeon Jeremy Yarrow said a recent review of data from the International Burn Injury Database (IBID) highlights a worrying and continuous rise in disposable BBQ-related injuries over the past few years.

He added: “As burn care specialists on the front line at the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, we are issuing an urgent public safety appeal regarding a severe and entirely preventable summer hazard: thermal burn injuries caused by disposable barbecues on our beaches.

“While many associate barbecues with open flames, a significant proportion of the severe injuries we treat in hospital stem from an invisible trap: super-heated sand beneath the grill.

“Sand absorbs intense heat from disposable barbecues, reaching temperatures upwards of 400°C that persist for hours after the barbecue unit itself has been removed or extinguished.

“To an unsuspecting child running barefoot or a beachgoer stepping onto the beach hours later or pet, this hidden hazard can inflict devastating, full-thickness burns in a fraction of a second.”

Morriston Hospital Burns’ Centre has now issued a warning to people thinking of enjoying al fresco cooking when they visit Wales’ beaches because of the way sand retains high temperatures even when disposable barbecues have been disposed of responsibly.

To protect family and fellow beach users, people using disposable barbecues are urged to follow three vital safety practices:

• Raise the BBQ off the sand. Never place a disposable barbecue directly on the beach; always elevate it using stones, bricks, or a dedicated stand to prevent heat from transferring to the sand underneath.
• Cool both the BBQ and the sand with water. Once you have finished cooking, douse the barbecue and the sand beneath it thoroughly with seawater, ensuring the ground is completely cold to the touch before leaving. We strongly warn against burying hot barbecues or glowing embers in the sand. Covering coals with sand does not extinguish them—it acts as an insulator, turning the sand into a hidden oven that poses danger to other beach users and animals.
• Dispose of the cooled BBQ safely by placing it in a designated hot-ash bin or taking it home with you.

Should an accident occur, immediate and correct first aid is critical to improving outcomes and reduce the depth of the burn. People are advised to follow what doctors term ‘the three Cs’:

• Cool the burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes (do not use ice or butter).
• Call 999 for emergencies or NHS 111 for clinical advice—all beach sand burns in children require urgent medical assessment.
• Cover the wound loosely with clean cling film to protect the damaged skin.

It comes after Andy Burnham paused plans to release prisoners early in September to ease overcrowding in jails

Rape, serious child sex and grooming offences will be barred from the upcoming changes to prison sentences, it has been announced today (August 3).

The Prime Minister has blocked cuts to sentences for rape, serious child sex and other grooming offences ‘to keep the public as safe as possible’.

It comes after Andy Burnham paused plans to release prisoners early in September to ease overcrowding in jails. The scheme will now be delayed until October.

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Mr Burnham said he “wanted to go even further”, but that it is not possible without the prison system collapsing and putting the public “at much greater risk”.

However, he assured the public that offenders will face tighter community supervision, including new GPS monitoring for rapists to restrict movements.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Keeping the public safe is my top priority. That’s why I asked for an urgent review of the prisoner release scheme. I fully understand the anger, anxiety and distress that’s been caused.

“I’ve heard that loud and clear. That’s why we’re making significant changes: offenders who have been sentenced for rape, serious child sex offences and other grooming offences will be excluded from the changes.

“I want to be honest – I wanted to go even further as I know there will still be concerns about other offenders having their sentence shortened. But it’s not possible without the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing, which would put public safety at much greater risk.

“That’s why we will also be introducing much tougher community measures. There will be a presumption that all offenders are tagged, longer periods of supervision and tough new rules, including restriction zones for offenders.

“As a country, we haven’t invested in the prison estate when we should have, going back over a decade. This has created an unacceptable situation, with our adult male prisons now at 98 per cent capacity. For too long, the problems facing our prison system have been ignored – and it’s the victims who have been paying the price.

“That is not good enough. My government will deliver the fastest prison building programme since the Victorian era and do what’s necessary to fix the prison crisis.”

The decision comes after Mr Burnham listened to ‘victims’ concerns’, resulting in rape and serious child sex offences, including vile grooming gang offences, now being blocked from the upcoming sentencing changes – meaning these offenders will see no change to their custodial sentence.

The changes mean rape and child sexual offences will be added to the exclusions that were already in place for 18,000 offenders, including those who have been found by a court to be the most dangerous or anyone serving a life sentence.

Under changes in the Sentencing Act, some 6,000 offenders were set to be let out of prison in September after serving a third of their sentence – rather than half – in a bid to ease prison overcrowding.

Prisoners serving longer sentences of four years or more would be eligible for release at the halfway point of their term, rather than at two-thirds as had previously been the case.

The changes were due to be phased in, beginning with prisoners of less than 575 days.

The Government has said that, after listening to victims’ concerns, rapists and child sexual offenders will not be eligible for the sentencing changes.

These will be added to the exclusions already in place for 18,000 offenders, including those who have been found by a court to be the most dangerous or anyone serving a life sentence.

The Government has also announced a new package of victim support, backed by £10 million, to provide better trauma-informed contact.

A new national helpline will also be established and efforts made to contact all affected victims to offer information and support.

Mr Burnham added that the Government will deliver “the fastest prison building programme since the Victorian era”, aiming to create 14,000 new prison places by 2031.

The Prime Minister has also asked Justice Secretary Alex Norris to look at how the UK can remove more foreign offenders and faster, review Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences and free up space in women’s prisons.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris: “The Prime Minister and I have reviewed these reforms, listened to the concerns and gone further to protect victims.

“These are decisions no Minister would ever want to take but it is right these sickening crimes are excluded from these reforms. Victims will also have access to better support and reassurance that offenders leaving prison face tougher supervision and punishment.”

The changes also introduce a new progression model which will end automatic release for badly behaved offenders. Those who break the rules or are violent behind bars face spending 100% of their sentence locked up.

Rapists and serious child sex offenders, including those convicted of grooming offences, will be excluded from upcoming plans to release certain prisoners early.

Andy Burnham said he understood the “anxiety and distress” caused by the scheme and insisted he “wanted to go even further”, but that this would risk the collapse of the entire prison system. He assured the public that offenders will face tighter community supervision, including new GPS monitoring for rapists to restrict movements.

It comes after Mr Burnham paused plans to release prisoners early in September to ease overcrowding in jails following outcry from the public, including from survivors of sexual violence.

The scheme will now be delayed until October.

In an announcement on Monday night, the prime minister said: “Keeping the public safe is my top priority. That’s why I asked for an urgent review of the prisoner release scheme.

“I fully understand the anger, anxiety and distress that’s been caused. I’ve heard that loud and clear. That’s why we’re making significant changes: offenders who have been sentenced for rape, serious child sex offences and other grooming offences will be excluded from the changes.”

He added: “I want to be honest – I wanted to go even further as I know there will still be concerns about other offenders having their sentence shortened.

“But it’s not possible without the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing, which would put public safety at much greater risk.”

Mr Burnham said he also intends to introduce “much tougher” community measures including a “presumption” that all offenders are tagged, longer periods of supervision and new restriction zones for offenders.

Under changes in the Sentencing Act, some 6,000 offenders were set to be let out of prison in September after serving a third of their sentence – rather than half – in a bid to ease prison overcrowding.

Prisoners serving longer sentences of four years or more would be eligible for release at the halfway point of their term, rather than at two-thirds as had previously been the case.

The changes were due to be phased in, beginning with prisoners serving sentences of less than 575 days, going up to inmates jailed for 12 years or more being eligible for early release in June next year.

The government has said that, after listening to victims’ concerns, rapists and child sexual offenders will not be eligible for the sentencing changes.

These will be added to the exclusions already in place for 18,000 offenders, including those who have been found by a court to be the most dangerous or anyone serving a life sentence.

The government has also announced a new package of victim support, backed by £10m, to provide better trauma-informed contact.

A new national helpline will also be established and efforts made to contact all affected victims to offer information and support.

Mr Burnham added: “As a country, we haven’t invested in the prison estate when we should have, going back over a decade.

“This has created an unacceptable situation, with our adult male prisons now at 98 per cent capacity. For too long, the problems facing our prison system have been ignored – and it’s the victims who have been paying the price. That is not good enough.

“My government will deliver the fastest prison building programme since the Victorian era and do what’s necessary to fix the prison crisis.”

Labour aims to have 14,000 new prison places by 2031.

Mr Burnham has also asked justice secretary Alex Norris to look at how the UK can remove foreign offenders faster and in greater numbers, review outdated Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences and free up space in women’s prisons.

Mr Norris said: “The prime minister and I have reviewed these reforms, listened to the concerns and gone further to protect victims.

“These are decisions no minister would ever want to take, but it is right these sickening crimes are excluded from these reforms.

“Victims will also have access to better support and reassurance that offenders leaving prison face tougher supervision and punishment.”

Wider releases under the Sentencing Act have been delayed from September to October, giving probation staff time to plan for releases and to ensure victims can have a say in restrictions placed on offenders.

The changes also introduce a new progression model which will end automatic release for badly behaved offenders.

Those who break the rules or are violent behind bars face spending 100 per cent of their sentence locked up.

Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy said the U-turn is a “victory for victims” but said it “doesn’t go far enough”.

Domestic abuse commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs said not excluding domestic abusers is “wrong and puts victims lives at risk”.

She said: “It is critical that no abuser is released in October unless I am confident that victims’ safety is not being compromised.”

St Nicholas Street in Norton is partially closed while Yorkshire Water deal with a leak.

The road is closed between the junction with Welham Road and St Nicholas Street car park.

Cllr Di Keal, posted earlier this week that the water leak was getting worse with water now across the road.

She said: “There is an obvious crack between the white lines in the centre of the road with water bubbly out in addition to the manhole cover – goodness knows what is happening beneath the road AND how many gallons of water are being wasted.

“It is appalling that this has now been leaking for several weeks when the country is facing drought conditions.”

Emily Atack and her family got away for a couple of days of ‘tapas and tantrums’ as they jetted off on holiday in snaps shared to her Instagram on Monday.

The actress, 36, revealed what they got up to on the trip, which included her husband-to-be Alistair Garner and their son Barney.

Emily looked incredible in a patterned blue and white swimsuit which showcased her slimmed down frame as she posed for a mirror selfie.

The Rivals star looked fresh-faced as she went make-up free and wore her blonde hair in a half up, half down style. 

In one sweet snap, Alistair, who was wearing an unbuttoned black shirt and orange trousers, kissed Emily on the cheek as she snapped the photo.

Elsewhere he enjoyed a beer over lunch, while Emily indulged in a glass of white wine, wearing a pretty blue crochet top with naturally wavy hair.

The actress, 36, revealed what they got up to on the trip, which included her husband-to-be Alistair Garner (pictured) and their son Barney

Alistair enjoyed a beer over lunch

The trip comes as it was reported Inbetweeners producers are desperate to sign Emily onto the reboot. 

A new Inbetweeners movie is reportedly on the horizon – with all four core members of the cast set to return.

The show became an instant classic when it aired for three seasons between 2008 and 2010, with two film spinoffs made as well.

While there have been whispers in the past about a reboot, The Sun has now claimed that the four main actors, namely Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, James Buckley and Blake Harrison have all signed on the dotted line to star in a third movie for Netflix.

However, the newspaper also said that streaming bosses aren’t satisfied with just the main men returning – they also want to see Emily reprise her role as Charlotte ‘Big Jugs’ Hinchcliffe.

The move comes as a surprise after Emily was axed from the Inbetweeners reunion five years ago following a ‘past fling’ with James. 

A source told the publication: ‘The creators of the show have written the script and are ready to roll – but Emily is one of the missing pieces in the project they’re keen to get in place.

‘Fans will already be delighted that the four main leads are returning as there was concern that a reboot might see new, younger actors cast in the roles of the lads, who were all supposed to be teenagers in the show.

Emily indulged in a glass of white wine, wearing a pretty blue crochet top with naturally wavy hair

Emily joked it had been a couple of days of ‘tapas and tantrums’ with their toddler

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Emily looked sun-kissed in a pretty white dress

‘But it’s fair to say getting Emily back would be the cherry on the Inbetweeners cake.’

The Sun added that all four of the main actors were ‘thrilled’ to be asked back, but noted that things would be a bit harder for Emily to commit to a reboot movie considering everything she’s got going on at the moment.

In 2019, Emily was reportedly axed from the Inbetweeners reunion after James told producers ‘it’s her or me’ following a past fling they had when they were both single.

Reports suggested at the time that James was afraid his wife, Clair Meek, would find out about the brief relationship they had during their days in the show during 2008 to 2010.

As well as starring in Disney series Rivals, Emily is in the process of making a new programme for the BBC called Reputation.

She’s also waiting to find out whether or not ITV will commission a second series of Nobody’s Fool – the game show she hosts with Rivals castmate Danny Dyer.

If filming on the Inbetweeners kicks off soon, the results could air as early as 2027, the source added.

Emily has been asked about a potential Inbetweeners return on numerous occasions in the past, telling Capital FM recently: ‘I don’t know. We’d all be quite a lot older now.

‘What was quite funny was when we filmed the series I was only 17, I’d just left school, but the boys were well into… I think they were in their late twenties, early thirties.’

It comes after last month bride-to-be Emily joked that she’d had ‘enough rosé to last a lifetime’ as she posed in a bikini and a veil in fun-filled snaps from her Cannes hen weekend.

The mother-of-one looked incredible in a black two-piece as she posed in front of a mirror before topping up her tan in the sunshine.

Streaming bosses aren’t satisfied with just the main men returning – they also want to see Emily, 36, reprise her role as Charlotte ‘Big Jugs’ Hinchcliffe

Joe Thomas, Simon Bird, James Buckley and Blake Harrison have all signed on the dotted line to star in a third movie for Netflix

She also showed off her golden glow in a white bikini and cover up by Agent Provocateur while living it up with her friends ahead of her wedding to Alistair in Spain in September.

The Rivals star had a very stylish wardrobe in tow, enjoying walks in a golden satin co-ord with a novelty veil on her head. 

And her group of friends tucked into countless bottles of Lady A rosé and enjoyed an incredible spread of food.

She wrote: ‘The most insanely perfect few days. Pure joy from start to finish and enough @drinkladya to last us a lifetime.

‘I thoroughly recommend having a hen do even if you aren’t getting married btw. It’s the most fun you’ll ever have losing all of your belongings.’

Emily had about 20 friends with her on her hen, with the group all featuring in photos together.  

A few days before, Emily shared another batch of photos and posed in her sparkly rainbow sequinned dress and veil. 

Emily got engaged to scientist Alistair in July 2025, after they welcomed their son Barney the previous year. 

By RAVEN SAUNT, US LIFESTYLE EDITOR and JANE HERZ, US SENIOR LIFESTYLE REPORTER

Updated: 22:09 BST, 3 August 2026

Chris Evans has been engulfed in plastic surgery speculation after his ‘unrecognizable’ appearance in the new Avengers trailer.

The 45-year-old is reprising his role as Steve Rogers – alias Captain America – in the latest movie installment Avengers: Doomsday.

But following the release of a new trailer for the film, fans were distracted after Evans made a split-second appearance on screens.

The actor was sporting a bristling dark beard and longer hair with some fans claiming he also had a ‘puffier face’ and ‘different nose.’

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Many film buffs rushed to X (formerly Twitter) to share their shock at his seemingly different appearance.

‘No like actually what did he do to his face?’ one wrote, alongside a comparison image of Evans in previous years.

‘Like that’s a different person. That’s your uncle who “kinda looks like Chris Evans if you squint,”‘ someone else shared. 

‘Is this Chris Evans’ glow down era?’ another scathingly added, as others suggested he may have undergone Botox and fillers.

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Chris Evans has been engulfed in plastic surgery speculation after his ‘unrecognizable’ appearance in the new Avengers trailer. Pictured: June 2025 (left) and in new trailer (right)

Dozens of other fans rushed to Evans’ defense by insisting it could likely be the lighting or part of the film’s plot.

Others said any changes may simply be due to ‘aging,’ but one social media user hit back: ‘No it’s not “age,” he literally did something to his face.’ 

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The Daily Mail has now spoken to a plastic surgeon to weigh in on the rumored changes.

Dr Rozbeh Torabi, a double board-certified plastic surgeon based in Arizona, said that many of the apparent changes are likely due to the ‘normal aging process.’ 

The expert, who has not treated the star but examined photos of Evans, speculated that he ‘might have some Botox’ but ‘definitely no facelift or rhinoplasty.’

Instead, the expert praised Evans for likely having a good skincare routine. 

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Asked about what his skincare secrets could be, Dr Torabi shared it is likely down to ‘daily exfoliation, vitamin C and retinol.’

‘Nowadays different peptide skin care along with sunscreen can give you that glow,’ he added. 

Evans played Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) from 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger (pictured)

The Daily Mail has reached out to Evans’ representatives for comment.

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Evans played Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe from 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger until Avengers: Endgame in 2019.

The 2019 blockbuster ended after the defeat of Thanos (Josh Brolin) where Rogers returns the Infinity Stones to their original timeline, and elects to live in the past with his one true love, Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). 

Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to come out in theaters on December 18, 2026.

This is the moment an Afghan professional boxer walks through the streets of Athens carrying a suitcase allegedly containing the body of Briton Elisabeth-Jane Ross.

CCTV footage seems to show Sharif Ahmadzai rolling a wheeled case through the city while walking down the middle of the road.

It comes after the boxer, who arrived in Greece on a small boat before marrying an American Christian, was arrested on Monday over the murder of Ms Ross.

Ahmadzai, 26, is suspected of killing the 38-year-old, who was also known as Lisa, before putting her body in a bag and dumping it in a derelict building.

Detectives trawled CCTV which allegedly shows him leaving the apartment where Ms Ross was staying with a suitcase and dropping it where her remains were found on July 16.

Ahmadzai reached the island of Lesvos in 2016. He then converted to Christianity and married US-born Christian Alaina Hall in 2023 before they set up a ministry helping refugees in Athens.

The couple are believed to have known Ms Ross, who was also a Christian volunteer, through their work.

They had a key to the flat she was staying in as it was owned by their organisation, Love Every Nation Athens, police sources told the Daily Mail.

Afghan professional boxer Sharif Ahmadzai – who arrived in Greece on a small boat before marrying an American Christian has been arrested

Ahmadzai is suspected of killing Elisabeth-Jane Ross (pictured) before putting her body in a bag and dumping it in a derelict building

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Officers started probing Ahmadzai after his wife allegedly reported her husband had been behaving suspiciously on July 30.

She allegedly said she woke to find him missing on the evening of July 15 and checked his shared location which showed him at Ms Ross’s apartment. 

Ahmadzai is understood to have told police he found Ms Ross already dead in her bathroom.

He allegedly admitted he used the victim’s bank cards to withdraw cash and also used her phone to send messages to relatives and friends, pretending to be her.

Ahmadzai’s wife grew suspicious when it was announced Ms Ross’s body had been found. She left the family home with their baby and stayed in a hotel.

Ahmadzai gave her the sum of 2,550 euros and a new Apple iPhone 17 Pro but she refused them.

She handed them to police believing they were bought with Ms Ross’s money.

Detectives raided the family home on August 1 and found a black metal replica Glock-style pistol and a black military-style knife, sources say.

Ahmadzai is a Super Light professional boxer who has had two fights in Athens with one loss and one victory.

His life story has been documented in a cartoon video and a forthcoming book titled: ‘From Hell To Home: How Loss, Exile And Hope Built The Man I Became.’

Ahmadzai wrote: ‘No matter how dark your story is, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.’

He was born in Afghanistan to a military commander father who survived six Taliban assassination attempts before being killed in a midnight ambush when Ahmadzai was three.

The militants shot him in the head on the way home from an 18-hour shift.

When he was nine, his older brother Samuel was kidnapped by the Taliban and never returned.

His mother, sister and younger brother were killed in a suicide car bomb six years later leaving him an orphan.

Alone in Kabul, Ahmadzai used his family’s remaining money to leave Afghanistan and spent 45 days walking through Pakistan, Iran and Turkey in freezing conditions.

He witnessed a fellow migrant freeze to death and was arrested multiple times with police in Iran opening fire on a group that saw 26 killed.

On arrival in Turkey, he made three attempts to get to Greece by sea. His boats sank on the first two journeys before he was finally successful.

He arrived on the island of Lesvos aged 16 in 2016 and entered Moria Camp where he taught himself English and began translating for a humanitarian organisation.

He met Alaina, who was volunteering at the centre that year, converted to Christianity the following year and moved to Athens in 2019.

It was here he began boxing in a park before helping train refugee boys. He developed romantic feelings for Alaina in 2021 and proposed the following year.

His wife said: ‘I had seen his growth and his heart for the Lord, and it was so attractive to me…

‘We had both entered the relationship with intentionality; we both had the same heart and desire – to love the Lord and to serve people…

Suitcase murder suspect Ahmadzai married US-born Alaina Hall in 2023. The pair are understood to have a baby together

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Officers started probing Ahmadzai after his wife Alaina allegedly reported her husband had been behaving suspiciously on July 30

Ahmadzai is due to appear before magistrates in Athens on Wednesday.

‘There were challenges, and it definitely wasn’t an easy road, but the Lord was faithful through it all.’

They founded Love Every Nation Athens before finally getting the paperwork to marry on April 29, 2023.

He was running free boxing sessions five nights a week for unaccompanied teenage boys and the couple was distributing food bags and prescriptions weekly to refugee families.

They also organised community events, sports sessions, and activities for young people across Athens.

Police sources previously revealed that Ahmadzai – who had converted to Christianity – told his wife that he had argued with Ms Ross because she wanted him to join her ‘stricter’ Christian group. 

He was arrested shortly after Ms Ross’s mobile phone – which had been off for days – was suddenly switched on earlier this week with police immediately tracing it to a residence in Athens where he was staying. 

When questioned by detectives, his wife told officers they had earlier been staying in Arachova, a mountainous village around two hours away from Athens and while there she became concerned after her husband went missing. 

After using a shared location tracking app, she saw that he was in an apartment in Rethymnou Street, where Ms Ross was staying and is believed to have been killed.

A police source revealed: ‘The woman told us that her husband had confided in her that he was angry with the British woman. She was trying to influence him religiously and it became too much for him.’ 

Ms Ross, who was from Edinburgh, had been a regular visitor to Greece over the past seven years volunteering with NGOs helping refugees, homeless people and other vulnerable groups. 

She had previously volunteered with the One Heart organisation when in Greece, which specialises in providing medical support to refugees, particularly those from Afghanistan or Iran.

She arrived in Athens on June 26 and had initially been staying with Greek friends in the Keratsini district, the country’s main seaport close to the city.

Police confirmed that she moved to Rethymnou Street in Athens city centre on July 2 and was volunteering with a Christian-based NGO working with refugees and other vulnerable groups.

CCTV footage gathered by police showed the Afghan man arriving by car at Ms Ross’s ground-floor flat on the evening of July 16.

At around 10pm, cameras captured him carrying the suitcase along the road on which the abandoned car park is located. Thirteen minutes later he is seen walking away from the derelict site without the suitcase.

The last confirmed sign of life from Ms Ross was recorded at 9.41pm on July 15, when she called a close friend.

Following that, her friends and relatives continued to receive messages from her, but they became suspicious that they were not genuine because of the style of language.

She also spoke about going away and wanting to be alone, which they thought was out of character for her.

Ahmadzai is due to appear before magistrates in Athens on Wednesday.

The man serving two life terms plus 40 years after pleading guilty to federal charges related to killing a top Democratic lawmaker and her husband made his initial appearance Monday in state court where he faces similar charges.

The state case against Vance Boelter had been on hold pending resolution of the federal case.

Monday’s procedural state court hearing came less than two weeks after Boelter’s sentencing in federal court. He pleaded guilty to the federal charges related to the killing of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as critically wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

Boelter, 59, agreed to plead guilty to the federal charges in June, almost a year after the Minneapolis-area attacks, so federal prosecutors would not seek the death penalty.

Boelter told the judge at Monday’s hearing that over a span of eight years he had met with Minnesota elected officials in Washington, D.C., including U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.

“Does this court have the authority to bring her in to testify?” Boelter asked Hennepin County Judge Juan Hoyos. “Or is she above the law?”

Boelter also told the judge that his rights had been violated during the 14 months he has been in federal custody, the Star Tribune reported. The judge told Boelter that any arguments he wants to make about his case could be made at future hearings by his attorney.

If convicted of the state charges, Boelter could face mandatory life in prison without the possibility of parole. Minnesota abolished capital punishment in 1911 and has never had a federal death penalty case.

In state court, Boelter faces two counts of murder for killing the Hortmans, four counts of attempted murder, impersonating a police officer and animal cruelty. The Hortman family’s golden retriever was gravely injured in the shootings and had to be euthanized.

Hoffman and his family also filed a personal injury lawsuit against Boelter in April.

Boelter’s next state court appearance is set for Sept. 2.

Robson Green has shared a major update on his new BBC crime drama, after Grantchester’s ending was announced.

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Robson Green has shared a major update on his latest crime drama, after Grantchester came to an end.

The DI Geordie Keating actor is embarking on a fresh role, months after the news the ITV drama would be ending with an 11th season.

He’s now shared an update on his “joyous” project, which sees him star in a detective series based in north-east England, The Northumbria Mysteries.

The BBC had previously announced: “Robson Green will star as Joe Ruby: a jack-of-all-trades whose life has been shaped by mistakes, regrets and missed opportunities, alongside Oxford-educated DI Rose O’Connell, a rarefied intellectual, a deep thinker with a brilliant mind and an ice-cool disposition. In a classic odd-couple pairing, Joe and Rose combine their talents as they frustrate, confound and ultimately surprise one another while unravelling a series of compelling crime mysteries.”

Robson has now confirmed filming on The Northumbria Mysteries has come to an end, sharing a photograph of a clapperboard on social media, reports the Mirror.

He said: “That’s a WIND REEL AND PRINT (WRAP) on The Northumbria Mysteries.

“One of the most Joyous filming experiences of my career. What a story what a team! Transmission TBC.

“A series for all the family set against the magical and jaw dropping backdrop of Northumberland. Watch this space.”

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One fan replied: “Looking forward to this! Thank you!” while someone else said: “Can’t wait to watch this new show.”

“Fantastic stuff,” another said, as one fan added: “Looking forward to watching it and I can’t wait to watching it Robson as I love watching all your TV shows since Casualty days.”

“Will be watching,” someone else vowed, as yet another wrote: “I’d be happy just to watch Robson Green walk back and forth across the street. Not that I’m obsessed with him or anything.”

Another person echoed: “Ooooo I can’t wait to watch this one.”

The news of his latest crime drama comes after ITV confirmed Grantchester would be ending after 11 seasons.

Fans were left sobbing at the news, though the broadcaster revealed that Geordie (Robson) and Alphy (Rishi Nair) would be “going out with a bang”, with the final episodes expected to air next year.

Daisy Coulam, writer, series creator and executive producer, said: “At its heart, Grantchester is a show about the power of friendship and love. We’ve been so lucky over the last 11 series to experience that on and off screen.

“For over a decade now – cast and crew (many who’ve been there since the beginning) have met each Summer to film. And it’s been an absolute joy.

“Thank you to James Runcie for entrusting us with his characters. Thank you to the lovely people of real Grantchester. Thank you to everyone who’s been a part of the show in any way – big or small. I’ll miss you terribly.”

Grantchester is available to watch on ITVX.

Featuring some of the country’s best-loved comedians alongside exciting rising stars, this is the perfect night out for comedy fans across Lanarkshire and beyond.

Live stand-up comedy returns to Airdrie Town Hall this month as The Therapy Room brings another outstanding line-up of Scottish comedy talent to the stage for an evening packed with big laughs, quick wit and unforgettable performances.

The Therapy Room is back on August 22, featuring some of the country’s best-loved comedians alongside exciting rising stars, making it the perfect night out for comedy fans across Lanarkshire and beyond.

Leading the bill is Des McLean, one of Scotland’s most recognisable comedians and entertainers.

A regular on television and radio, Des is renowned for his razor-sharp observations, brilliant storytelling and hilarious Billy Connolly impression, earning praise from audiences and critics alike throughout a career spanning more than three decades.

Joining him is Billy Bremner, an Airdrie-born comedian whose fast-paced one-liners and clever wordplay have seen him perform at the Edinburgh Fringe, Glasgow International Comedy Festival and comedy clubs across the UK.

His quick-fire style and self-deprecating humour have made him a firm favourite with audiences.

Also appearing is Iain Hume, a regular on the Scottish comedy circuit whose confident storytelling, relatable observations and easy-going stage presence have seen him support major names including Milton Jones, Ed Byrne and Dylan Moran.

Completing the line-up is Charlotte Mae, a rising star whose refreshingly honest and fearless comedy explores modern life, dating and motherhood through sharp observations and relatable storytelling.

Described as one to watch, Charlotte brings a fresh voice to the Scottish comedy scene.

The evening will once again be hosted by Airdrie’s own Patrick Rolink, an experienced compere and performer who has appeared at renowned comedy venues including The Comedy Store in London, Jongleurs and venues across Canada and Las Vegas, ensuring another night of seamless entertainment and plenty of laughs.

Audiences can expect a lively atmosphere, plenty of audience interaction and a fantastic mix of comedy styles, from clever storytelling and observational humour to razor-sharp one-liners, making The Therapy Room the perfect night out with friends or family.

For tickets, priced £15, and more information, call the box office on 01698 274545 or visit https://www.northlanculture.co.uk/event/therapy-room/

The show starts at 8pm and is for over-18s only.

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