Jurors at the trial regarding the December 2022 fatal gas explosion in St Helier, Jersey, which killed 10 people, have been told that nothing about the gas network suggested an imminent catastrophe. Three gas workers—Neil Armstrong, John Wright, and Lee Ward—are on trial denying counts of gross negligence manslaughter, while Island Energy denies health and safety breaches. Defence lawyers delivered their closing remarks at Jersey Royal Court, asking the jury for not-guilty verdicts.
Summary headline: Defence lawyers argue no signs of impending disaster before fatal Jersey gas explosion
Vanessa Abbess, whose 17-year-old son Joe died in a 2023 rip current incident off Bournemouth Beach, has joined other bereaved families to deliver a letter to 10 Downing Street. As part of the national Save Lives for Sam water safety campaign, she is calling on the government to appoint a water safety minister to address drowning prevention on a national scale.
Summary headline: Southampton mum of drowned teen campaigns for a water safety minister
South Yorkshire Police have defended their response to an unannounced early-morning march by masked anti-illegal immigration protesters in Sheffield, which led to criticism from local residents and councillors at a public meeting.
Summary headline: South Yorkshire Police defend response to masked march in Sheffield
A 42-year-old man died after being ejected from a rollercoaster at the Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park. Police and safety officials are investigating the incident, and Six Flags has temporarily closed nine rides across the US and Canada as a precaution.
Summary headline: Fatal rollercoaster incident at Six Flags Over Georgia leaves one man dead
A misconduct panel has concluded that former Leicestershire Police officer Emma Elliott committed gross misconduct by lying about visiting a witness of a car crash and going to McDonald's instead. Ring doorbell footage proved she never knocked on the door, and she subsequently updated police software with false information. The panel stated she would have been dismissed had she not already resigned, and she has now been placed on the barred list.
Summary headline: Former Leicestershire Police officer found guilty of gross misconduct after lying about crash visit to go to McDonald's
Oldrids & Co Ltd, operating as Downtown Stores, has announced plans to sell its Boston site at Wyberton Chain Bridge, putting jobs at risk and leading to expected redundancies. If the deal proceeds, the site will be converted into multiple retail units. The company's online operations and Grantham store will remain unaffected, and the Boston store will continue to trade normally during staff consultations and discussions.
A 20-year-old Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter, Bradley Aston, has received a four-year football banning order and an eight-week suspended jail term after pleading guilty to a public order offence. Aston displayed a mobile phone with the message 'Police Killed Your Own' to Middlesbrough fans, mocking a fatal wrong-way crash on the A66 in August that killed seven people, including two police officers.
Summary headline: Wolves fan handed four-year football banning order for mocking fatal A66 crash
Rapper Tinie Tempah has confirmed he will visit Scunthorpe after a successful online campaign launched by local fan Ben Johns. The campaign achieved 5,000 pre-saves for the rapper's new album in exchange for a visit to the town, referencing a lyric from his 2010 hit 'Pass Out'.
Summary headline: Tinie Tempah confirms upcoming visit to Scunthorpe following fan campaign
Suella Braverman has hit back at comedian and author Dame Meera Syal after she joked during an appearance at the Cheltenham Literature Festival that the politician "either needs a hug or a slap". Braverman's spokesperson condemned the remark as disgraceful, citing recent violence against politicians, while Syal had previously criticised Braverman's remarks regarding British and English identity.
Summary headline: Suella Braverman condemns Meera Syal's Cheltenham Festival 'slap' joke as disgraceful
Parents and teachers in Devon have criticised bus operator Stagecoach after a change from double-decker to single-decker buses on the 120 service left between 10 and 20 children behind daily. Students attending Churston Ferrers Grammar School and South Devon College have faced overcrowding, late arrivals, and chaotic boarding scenes. Stagecoach stated that the route is currently unsuitable for double-decker vehicles due to vegetation and tree-clearance issues, while Devon County Council announced plans to fund a double-deck vehicle for the affected journeys after the half-term holiday.
Summary headline: Devon parents and teachers slam Stagecoach as bus changes leave children stranded
Plans to establish the Glyndŵr National Park in north Wales are likely to be shelved after Constitutional Minister Dafydd Trystan Davies announced he does not want the project to proceed. Citing an estimated £11m cost and potential impacts on local communities, infrastructure, and the Welsh language, the minister stated that environmental objectives could be achieved through alternative mechanisms. The proposal had faced opposition from all local councils in the affected areas, though the decision drew criticism from some Labour members and environmental campaigners who accused the government of lacking ambition.
Summary headline: Welsh government minister signals opposition to new north Wales national park
Ronald Dowling, 66, has been given a 27-month prison sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to causing death and serious injury by careless driving. Driving at 76mph in heavy rain on 26 October 2023, Dowling aquaplaned his Maserati Ghibli into a stationary car in Pontypool driven by Sharon Berry, who died from her injuries in January 2024. The crash also left Dowling's wife paralysed and seriously injured passenger Jane Beedell.
The Argentinian government has initiated legal proceedings at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to halt oil and gas exploration north of the Falkland Islands, escalating tensions with the UK. Argentina's move follows President Javier Milei's demands to scrap the Sea Lion oilfield project and threats of economic sanctions against firms operating in the area. The UK government has dismissed the legal challenge, criticized Argentina's actions as economic coercion, and announced new protective measures for businesses involved in the legitimate commercial venture.
Summary headline: Argentina takes legal action against the UK over Falklands oil exploration
A Hampshire police car crashed through the railings of Ryde Pier on the Isle of Wight after colliding with another vehicle while responding to an incident. Two officers trapped in the vehicle were rescued by firefighters, and no injuries were reported. The pier was temporarily closed, suspending ferry services for about six hours, before the car was safely removed using a mini digger and services resumed.
Summary headline: Police car removed from Ryde Pier after crash on the Isle of Wight
A 17-year-old boy has been charged with murder and attempted murder following an incident on Brookhouse Road in Meir, Stoke-on-Trent, where a teenager died and another was seriously injured. Staffordshire Police have also arrested two additional teenagers, a 19-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, while four previously arrested individuals have been released on bail.
Summary headline: Teenager charged with murder and two others arrested following fatal incident in Stoke-on-Trent
An inquest into the death of 60-year-old delivery driver Nigel Williamson has heard that an emergency stop switch on a crane was not pushed as required before he was fatally crushed at a housing development in East Bridgford, Nottinghamshire. Williamson, who had worked for KRM Building Supplies for less than three weeks, was found injured on the back of a crane-mounted lorry on 13 August last year. A forensic pathologist concluded that significant pelvic injuries led to cardiac arrest, with pre-existing heart problems contributing to his death. The inquest continues.
Summary headline: Crane stop button not used before delivery driver was crushed to death in East Bridgford
Lewis Burtney, a 23-year-old restricted driver, has been sentenced to five years in prison and given a six-year driving ban after pleading guilty to causing the death of James Smyth and serious injuries to four women by dangerous driving. The December 2021 crash in Dundrum, County Down, occurred when Burtney's car, which had its speed limiter removed, spun out of control while travelling at over 100mph. A second driver, Rhys Bailie, was fined and banned from driving for two years after admitting to dangerous driving.
Summary headline: Restricted driver jailed for five years over 100mph fatal crash in Dundrum
William Chapman, a man in his mid-20s and a former child actor, has been identified as the individual killed in a tiger attack after entering an enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. Eyewitnesses reported seeing Chapman pacing with headphones before climbing barriers and entering the enclosure. South Yorkshire Police confirmed his family is being supported by specialist officers, and City of Doncaster Council has launched a health and safety investigation. The park confirmed that the Amur tiger, Altai, will not be euthanised.
Summary headline: Man killed in tiger attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park identified as William Chapman
A section of the A27 eastbound in West Sussex between Arundel and Worthing has reopened after a lorry overturned near Angmering in the early hours. Emergency services attended the scene, but no injuries were reported, and National Highways confirmed there are no residual delays.
Summary headline: A27 eastbound reopens between Arundel and Worthing following lorry crash
A 21-year-old man has been charged following an incident on Leeman Road in York involving three men, which left two people injured and hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries.
Summary headline: Man charged with robbery and possession of a bladed article after York altercation
