Firefighters were called out after the vehicle burst into flames on the B6279 Tornado Way at about 12.15am.

The car set alight on Tornado Way in the morning of June 6 (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

No one is said to have been injured and the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 12.14am on Saturday (June 6), we received a report of a vehicle fire on Tornado Way, Darlington.

“One crew from Darlington attended to put out the fire and left the scene at 12.40am.”

A burnt out car is left on the side of Tornado Way in Darlington after it burst into flames in the early hours of Saturday morning (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

A burnt out car is left on the side of Tornado Way in Darlington after it burst into flames in the early hours of Saturday morning (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

The car set alight on Tornado Way in the morning of June 6 (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

A Durham Police spokesperson added: “We were called to reports of a vehicle fire on the B6279 just after midnight on June 6.

“The fire service put out the fire, which is not thought to be suspicious.”

The fraudster will be sentenced later this month after pleading guilty to embezzlement.

Corrupt Peter Murrell has been moved to cushy HMP Dumfries after getting “dogs abuse” at Edinburgh’s tough Saughton nick.

It has been reported that the SNP crook has been moved out of HMP Edinburgh in recent days.

Murrell is expected to be given a jail sentence this month after pleading guilty to nicking over £400,000 from the SNP.

Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband is on remand after admitting to a crime spree spanning twelve years.

The Wings over Scotland website reported he is now behind bars in Dumfries.

A source told the Scottish Sun: “He is getting dog’s abuse 24/7. It appears that the grim reality of prison is very different to how he thought it would be. He should have taken up the offer of being kept separate from normal cons.

“Now he can’t wait to get moved to another nick. A lot of the taunts are about his wife, which isn’t nice.”

“Being in jail is tough for anyone, no matter what people might think.

“But for someone like Murrell, who has been used to a very comfortable life outside, it will be a nightmare.”

Other sources have claimed Sturgeon, who spoke of her betrayal at his crimes, has no plans to visit him behind bars.

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A report presented to the Cambuslang and Rutherglen Area Committee on June 3 highlighted how schools are continuing to embed participatory budgeting (PB) as part of efforts to tackle inequality and improve educational experiences for young people.

Schools across Cambuslang and Rutherglen have allocated more than £121,000 to projects chosen through participatory budgeting, giving pupils and families a direct say in how education funding is spent.

A report presented to the Cambuslang and Rutherglen Area Committee on June 3 highlighted how schools are continuing to embed participatory budgeting (PB) as part of efforts to tackle inequality and improve educational experiences for young people.

Participatory budgeting allows school communities to influence spending decisions by consulting with pupils, parents and staff before voting on projects and initiatives. In South Lanarkshire, schools are required to allocate at least five per cent of their Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) through the process.

During the 2025/26 academic session, schools across the Cambuslang and Rutherglen area committed a combined £121,473.09 to participatory budgeting activity. This represents around seven per cent of the area’s total Pupil Equity Funding allocation of £1.82 million, exceeding the minimum requirement.

The largest allocation came from the Cathkin learning community, which dedicated more than £52,000 to participatory budgeting projects. Schools within the Stonelaw and Trinity learning communities allocated more than £41,000 and £27,000.

Projects selected by pupils and school communities cover a wide range of initiatives, including educational excursions, playground improvements, outdoor learning spaces, sports coaching, creative workshops, digital learning resources and additional support for school trips.

Among the schools allocating funding were Cathkin High School, which committed more than £10,000 towards educational excursions, and St Bride’s Primary School, which allocated £6300 towards a whole-school trip. Cairns Primary School directed over £13,000 towards developing its school hub and outdoor garden area.

The report also highlighted the work of St Mark’s Primary School as an example of good practice. The school has integrated participatory budgeting into its wider Cost of the School Day programme, which aims to reduce financial barriers faced by families.

Through its Cost of the School Day Committee, pupils and families help identify challenges affecting participation in school life and contribute to how funding should be used. The school also provides support through subsidised activities, clothing initiatives, learning resources and free school events.

Education officers said participatory budgeting is now fully embedded within South Lanarkshire schools and will continue to form part of annual Pupil Equity Funding planning. Schools will continue to allocate at least five per cent of their funding through participatory budgeting, with additional training planned for staff during the 2027/27 session.

The initiative is intended to ensure that funding decisions are shaped by those most affected by them, while giving young people practical experience of decision making.

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Jacob Smith suffered extensive burns, and is now waiting for a skin graft

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A McDonald’s worker who allegedly had hot oil thrown over him by a colleague suffered second-degree burns over a fifth of his body.

Jacob Smith, 20, was working at a Northern California McDonald’s on Saturday when he was allegedly attacked by another employee who left the restaurant before police arrived, according to ABC 10, CBS News and KCRA.

Investigators also stated that the alleged attacker, identified as 23-year-old Jalani Bluett, was later found and arrested by the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office shortly after midnight local time. Before Bluett was found, the sheriff’s office asked for the public’s assistance in locating the man as he was “considered at risk due to a diagnosis and vulnerabilities.”

During Bluett’s arraignment on June 6, Bullard told ABC 10 that Bluett was “held to answer on assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem, serious felony assault resulting in great bodily injury, and he was held to answer on that at the arraignment, and currently he is being held in Sutter County with no bail.”

After Jacob sustained burns to the side of his face, neck, right arm and back, his mother, Amber Smith, told KCRA that her son was preparing to end his shift when he was suddenly assaulted and given second-degree burns over 22 percent of his body, reports the Mirror.

“He was in the office getting ready to count the money when he saw out of the corner of his eye something, and he just turned, and the oil was just thrown on him,” Amber alleged.

“The pain he’s experiencing is so excruciating that they can’t give him a level of pain medicine outside of the ICU.”

The Mirror has approached McDonald’s for comment.

In a GoFundMe created to support Jacob in his recovery, Amber shared that he is scheduled for skin graft surgery later this week. She also included a message from her son, who thanked God for bringing out “the best possible result in the worst situation.”

“As much as I want to be angry, or want to hate people and be scared of people, it’s just so hard to be when I have so many people showing their love for me,” Jacob wrote.

“I’m not sad, and I’m not angry, and the pain doesn’t cause me grief because I know it’s necessary to heal. I’m so thankful for everybody.”

“Thank you to God for saving my eye and giving me awesome family and friends,” he added.

You can donate to the GoFundMe page by clicking here.

British Transport Police officers were called to Blackrod station at 2.20pm on Sunday, June 7, following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

Paramedics also attended, but the individual was pronounced dead at the scene.

The force says that the incident is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “Officers were called to the line near Blackrod at 2.19pm on Sunday, June 7, following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

“Paramedics also attended; however, sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The incident is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Northern Rail cancelled services between Bolton and Preston until 4.15pm to allow emergency services to respond to the incident.

He’s been announced as the host of a new two-part documentary for ITV

Freddie Flintoff is set to front a new documentary for ITV, in which he’ll travel across the UK to meet young people living with Tourette’s.

The two-part series, currently titled Freddie Flintoff: Understanding Tourette’s, has been inspired by the highly acclaimed BAFTA-winning film, I Swear, which follows the true story of John Davidson, a young boy in 1980s Scotland affected by Tourette’s Syndrome.

In the programme, Freddie sets out to understand what life is like for individuals and their families living with Tourette’s, and challenges the misconceptions and stigma around this often-misunderstood condition, ITV has said.

Spending time with young people who are at different stages of their journey, from those who are trying to get a diagnosis to those who have been living with the condition for many years.

ITV continued to say in a press release: “Produced by 72 Films, working in partnership with the charity Tourettes Action, the highly emotive series will reflect varied experiences of Tourette’s – from more visible tics to those that are less obvious but no less challenging, revealing aspects rarely seen on screen and challenging the idea that it is simply a condition defined by swearing.

“Its effects are much more fundamental and varied. The series looks beyond headlines and assumptions to offer a clearer, more truthful understanding of the condition – bringing audiences closer to the reality of living with it and the practical ways those living with it can overcome many of its challenges.

Freddie shared a statement in which he referenced how his life-changing accident, which took place when filming Top Gear back in December 2022, had an effect on him, and why he wants to help this cause.

He said: “Working with young people has always been a huge passion point for me, and Tourette’s is a condition that primarily starts in childhood. The thought of kids isolating themselves and facing such strong stigma both breaks my heart and resonates deeply with me – after my accident, I wouldn’t leave my own house, and that’s a feeling I would never want anyone, let alone a kid, to go through.

“The events at the BAFTA Film Awards and the online discourse that followed only emphasised how much stigma is still out there – whilst the film made such positive strides for this community, these secondary responses seemed to set those advances right back. If there is any way I can help those affected, working directly with them and experts in the field, and also help spread awareness and push for change, then that is what I’ll do. I hope this community will bring the change and understanding they deserve.”

Tourettes Action CEO Emma McNally added: “We’re looking forward to working with Freddie and ITV on this important new series and helping to ensure that the voices of the Tourette’s community are heard authentically. Too often in the past, portrayals of Tourette’s have focused on shock factor or humour, which can reinforce misunderstanding and stigma.

“By showing the different ways Tourette’s can present, this series has the potential to help all members of the community feel seen, supported and validated, regardless of how their Tourette’s affects them.”

Jacob Smith, 20, was finishing his shift at McDonald’s when he was allegedly attacked by another employee who reportedly threw hot oil on him before fleeing the restaurant

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A McDonald’s worker, aged 20, was admitted to hospital with horrific burn injuries after a colleague allegedly threw hot oil over him. The incident is alleged to have taken place on Saturday, 6 June.

Jacob Smith was on shift at a Northern California branch of the fast-food chain when he was allegedly attacked by another worker. According to reports from ABC 10, CBS News, and KCRA, the suspect fled the restaurant before police arrived at the scene.

Investigators stated that the alleged attacker, identified as 23-year-old Jalani Bluett, was later located and arrested. The Sutter County Sheriff’s Office detained him shortly after midnight local time, reports The Mirror.

Before Bluett was found, the sheriff’s office asked for the public’s assistance in locating the man as he was “considered at risk due to a diagnosis and vulnerabilities.”

During Bluett’s arraignment on June 6, Bullard told ABC 10 that Bluett was “held to answer on assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem, serious felony assault resulting in great bodily injury, and he was held to answer on that at the arraignment, and currently he is being held in Sutter County with no bail.”

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After Jacob sustained burns to the side of his face, neck, right arm and back, his mother, Amber Smith, told KCRA that her son was preparing to end his shift when he was suddenly assaulted and given second-degree burns over 22 percent of his body.

“He was in the office getting ready to count the money when he saw out of the corner of his eye something, and he just turned, and the oil was just thrown on him,” Amber alleged. “The pain he’s experiencing is so excruciating that they can’t give him a level of pain medicine outside of the ICU.”

The Mirror has approached McDonald’s for comment.

In a GoFundMe created to support Jacob in his recovery, Amber shared that he is scheduled for skin graft surgery later this week. She also included a message from her son, who thanked God for bringing out “the best possible result in the worst situation.”

“As much as I want to be angry, or want to hate people and be scared of people, it’s just so hard to be when I have so many people showing their love for me,” Jacob wrote. “I’m not sad, and I’m not angry, and the pain doesn’t cause me grief because I know it’s necessary to heal. I’m so thankful for everybody.”

“Thank you to God for saving my eye and giving me awesome family and friends,” he added.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has come under pressure after being photographed alongside masked men at a counter-protest opposing a pro-Palestine march through a Co Down town.

The DUP representative was one of a number of unionist politicians on the ground on Saturday.

Ms Lockhart has also hit out at how the operation was policed after water cannon and riot police were dispatched to the area.

What was the March for Gaza?

The March for Gaza was a 25 mile long walk from Lurgan, Co Armagh along the Newry Canal towpath to Omeath in Co Louth, which was organised by the Lurgan branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign. The march raised money for Palestine Aid Ireland and Children Not Numbers and symbolised the distance it would take to walk the length Gaza Strip which is also 25 miles.

Why was the march controversal?

Last year, four arrests were made and a number of people were cautioned when “minor disorder” broke out as the march made it’s way through the Scarva section of the protest.

What was the Parades Commission determination?

The Parades Commission granted permission for the march with 1,500 participants, but placed a number of conditions on it, including that no participant should enter Scarva, that no flags or emblems of any type should be displayed and that no chanting or singing should take placeduring the section of the route along the towpath which passes Scarva.

Meanwhile, a group called Scarva Concerned Residents were granted permission for a demonstration of 100 people on Scarva Bridge, with conditions including refraining from “provocative behaviour”.

What was the police response to the protests?

Police officers, armoured Land Rovers, riot police and water cannons were deployed to the village ahead of the protests. A line of police Land Rovers blocked off the bridge which connects the towpath and the village.

Were there any incidents in the village?

Journalists and photographers who were on the ground in Scarva covering the events were reportedly surrounded by counter protesters and forcibly removed from the area. One journalist claimed on social media that photographers were attacked with stones. Footage circulating on social media also appears to show masked counterprotesters hurling mysoginistic abuse and other profanities at those taking part in the march. Masked protestors were also said to be flying UDA flags

Why is Carla Lockhart coming under pressure?

Images and footage on social media shows Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart standing with the masked protesters as they hurled abuse and attempted to intimidate those taking part in the march.

What has Carla Lockhart said?

In a lengthy social media post on Sunday, the Upper Bann MP said that she will “never apologise” for standing with her community.

“I was there alongside DUP MLAs, DUP councillors, UUP councillors, a TUV councillor and local community leaders. Throughout the day we engaged with senior police officers, relayed concerns, encouraged restraint and worked to ensure calm heads prevailed. We were not there to inflame tensions. We were there to prevent them escalating,” she said.

“Those who were present know exactly how much work went on behind the scenes. There was constant engagement with officers, discussions around crowd management and efforts to ensure there was no physical interaction between opposing groups. Thankfully, what could have become a far more volatile situation, passed without serious incident. That did not happen by accident.

“It is therefore disappointing, though not surprising, to hear criticism from those who were nowhere to be seen when tensions were high.”

Ms Lockhart hit out at a number of other elected representatives who criticised her for standing with the protesters.

She continued: “The abuse directed at me since yesterday has been disgraceful, but it will not silence me. It simply reinforces why it is important that people continue to speak up and represent the communities they serve.

“Yesterday I stood with my community. I engaged with the police. I am thankful this all passed off without incident. I do not condone any attacks on the police but I also do not condone police aggression. I worked alongside colleagues from across unionism and local community representatives to help ensure calm heads prevailed.

“I make absolutely no apology for that.”

What has DUP leader Gavin Robinson said?

In a post on the social media platform X, Gavin Robinson said: “I’ve stood on the ground in many riot situations. Most people commenting haven’t a clue what they’re talking about.

“Carla, Diane, Jonathan and our Councillors were in Scarva doing the hard thing. They weren’t there for selfies or social media posts.

“They were there to provide leadership, keep calm heads and help ensure a difficult situation did not become a worse one. Those who were actually there know the role they played.”

What have the UUP and TUV said?

UUP Aldermen Glenn Barr and Ian Burns called for a full examination of the events surrounding Saturday’s parade through Scarva, citing serious concerns regarding the conduct of the Parades Commission, the cost of the policing operation, and apparent breaches of the Commission’s own determination. Party leader Jon Burrows MLA has written to both the Parades Commission and the PSNI requesting meetings to discuss the handling of the matter and to seek an update on the investigation into the alleged breaches of the determination.

TUV leader Jim Allister MP said: “I am pleased that members of my party were among those who stood with the loyalists of Scarva on Saturday to protest against the small Republican coat-trailing rabble who paraded behind a banner calling for the extermination of Jews in the Middle East.

“No Unionist will take lectures from Sinn Fein who glorify and justify IRA terror.

“No Unionist will take lectures from the SDLP who promised ‘civil disobedience at a very minimum’ unless their demands were met.

“No Unionist will take lectures from the sanctimonious Alliance Party, led by a Justice Minister who doesn’t seem to understand that the role of public representatives when it comes to tense situations is to seek to avoid trouble and keep calm.

“TUV, as the photos from Saturday show, stood at the front alongside representatives from the DUP and UUP. Had unionist leaders not been there we might very well have seen people beaten off the streets, water cannon deployed and the Republican parade attacked.

“Maybe that’s what those complaining really wanted to happen. Maybe the fake outrage today is born out of frustration at the restraint and control displayed by Loyalists which didn’t give them the headlines they wanted.

“Whatever the reason, I note that the torrent of abuse online — including instances of defamation of TUV members — from Republicans directed at Unionists has passed without comment from those delivering their lectures for the benefit of their own echo chambers.”

What have other parties said?

Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly has lodged a formal complaint with the Westminster Standards Commissioner over Carla Lockhart’s conduct at the protest.

Speaking on Sunday, Ms Brolly said: “It is clear that rather than seeking to encourage the group to remove masks which were in place to intimidate marchers, Miss Lockhart is clearly seen to be engaging with those masked men.

“I believe those actions to be against the letter and the spirit of the Code of conduct and is not conducive to good community relations, and as such I am asking the Commissioner to investigate.

“People have the right to parade and to protest, but they don’t have the right, nor does any elected representative, to intimidate people or support those that do.

“Those protesting the slaughter of innocent people in Palestine engaged in a lawful action, and to be met not only with a mob of masked men but an MP acting with them, is not acceptable in 2026.

“I want to send a message to those who would seek to gain electorally by standing with those who seek to intimidate others, you will fail.”

South Down MP Chris Hazzard tweeted: “South Down is a welcoming place defined by beautiful forests, mountains, and beaches – not masked intimidation Next time you visit, Carla Lockhart, you should look into what our constituency actually has to offer, rather than standing with masked men intimidating women and children.”

Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood tweeted: “As an MP representing a constituency of 112,00 people, people with very diverse views and life experiences, I work every day to try and bring people together by leading and showing positive example by going everywhere in Lagan Valley.

“I certainly don’t please everyone all of the time and that’s not the aim. But we have an important role in working for all and showing good example.

“Standing in a crowd with people covering faces with masks or scarves whilst the crowd shout obscenities and abuse is not something we should be anywhere near, never mind in the middle of. We all have a role to play in providing positive leadership and this falls shockingly short of it.”

The SDLP’s Matthew O’Toole said: “I work constructively with DUP reps who are able and personally very decent people. But the scenes from Scarva are a reminder of the unmistakable Paisleyite DNA which panders to and connives with thuggery, then plays dumb when called out. Appalling behaviour.”

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Ms Lockhart said police “came in very heavy” and she and other reps had to intervene

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A “bloodbath” was averted in the Co Down village of Scarva amid a pro-Palestine march and counter protest, a DUP MP has said.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart made the comment as she continues to face criticism over her actions, and is accused of being “front and centre of a hostile, masked mob”.

Ms Lockhart said this was “utter rubbish” and that she was in Scarva with other unionist elected representatives to de-escalate tensions.

Speaking at Stormont on Monday, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said it was “entirely appropriate” that Ms Lockhart, along with MLAs Jonathan Buckley and Diane Forsythe, were there.

“I am pleased that they were prepared to be with the community, engage with the community, engage with the PSNI and ensure that a difficult situation didn’t spiral out of control,” he said.

“It had that potential.”

He also accused police of “impeding” the permitted counter-protest by blocking off Scarva bridge, adding “that caused difficulty”.

Police have said their policing operation was “appropriate and proportionate”.

Mr Robinson also said that police “have a job of work to do” in terms of reviewing the evidence they gathered from Scarva, in terms of whether Parades Commission conditions were broken.

“Police have told my colleagues that they will be pursuing those issues and prosecutions,” he added.

Hundreds turned out in Scarva on Saturday in opposition to the Great March for Gaza, organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), which was due to pass by on the Newry towpath en route from Lurgan to Newry.

There was a heavy police presence which focused on enforcing Parades Commission conditions of keeping those from the march from entering Scarva, and blocked off several bridges in the village.

Police resources made available included water cannons and armoured Land Rovers, as well as Tactical Support Group officers.

Ms Lockhart criticised the police presence, saying it caused disruption to local residents, did not reduce anxiety and tensions and blocked off Scarva Bridge where the counter demonstration had been planned to take place.

A large number of protesters instead staged a demonstration further up the village close to a new housing development, and just across a narrow canal from the march.

March organisers have contended they were faced with “slurs hurled from an un-notified counter protest in a field outside Scarva”.

During events, Ms Lockhart was photographed standing near masked individuals in Scarva as the march passed by.

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Ms Lockhart told the BBC she was on the ground, along with other unionist elected representatives, “seeking to de-escalate, keep the peace in what was a very volatile situation”.

She said police had “blocked” the bridge which had been the designated area for the counter protest, which she said “immediately made a bad situation worse”.

Protesters then made their way to the housing development further along the canal.

Ms Lockhart said police “came in very heavy”, and she, along with colleagues, “had to intervene, had to de-escalate, had to negotiate with the police, encourage the community and were able to keep what could have been an absolute bloodbath very quiet, peaceful, and ultimately no incidents”.

Sinn Fein South Down MP Chris Hazzard said from video footage and photographs of events in Scarva, people “can see very clearly the actions of Carla on the day – a public representative front and centre of masked men in 2026”.

He said crowds could be heard “intimidating, shouting vile, racist, sectarian abuse at families who were walking to raise awareness of genocide, and to raise funds for children that were dying in Gaza”.

“People can see those events very, very clearly… a public representative who decided to stand and facilitate and to embolden those people that were standing beside her doing that,” he said.

“I think the public were rightly disgusted at the images that came from Scarva on Saturday, and they’re completely unacceptable.”

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