Market

Officer who gave information to gang avoids jail

by Connor
written by Connor

An "immature" and "naïve" former police officer cried in court as he was spared prison after passing police information to members of an organised crime gang.

Adam Davies, 30, who was an officer with Surrey Police, admitted four counts of misconduct in a public office.

He was given a two year prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday.

Judge Tony Baumgartner said Davies gave information to the criminals "for kudos" instead of financial benefit, branding it a "stupid thing to do".

While searching a missing elderly man's house on 10 October 2020, Davies could be heard on a video "mocking and praising" the man for owning pornographic DVDs, Judge Baumgartner said.

"There was no policing purpose for you to film in the vulnerable man's home as you did," the judge said.

The video was discovered after an associate of Davies, a member of an organised crime group, was arrested and his phone was seized after a large quantity of cocaine was found in man's vehicle.

Judge Baumgartner said Davies was then "fishing for information" about the man's arrest, which formed another charge.

The court heard that a message exchange was discovered on the man's phone on 10 October in which Davies said: "We should go into business, all the seized stock I take."

Prosecutor Szilvia Booker said it was accepted that Davies, of Farnham, was "joking" in the message.

In a separate incident on 6 November 2020, Davies was asked to investigate Hone Gym, in Godalming, for being open during lockdown.

Davies said in a crime report he had told the gym of Covid guidelines, when in reality he had "made it clear he had no intention of closing the gym down" and tried to warn them that police would be attending, Ms Booker said.

He also admitted disclosing to his partner's brother that a prisoner had been released in March 2020.

Judge Baumgartner said it was an "exceptional case" with an "absence of profit, corruption, or actual harm" in most of the offending by the "immature" defendant.

Sentencing Davies, Judge Baumgartner said: "You provided police information to those criminal associates and wilfully neglected your police duties.

"Your immaturity and naivety led you to act in such a stupid and unprofessional way. It was not out of corruption or out of malice.

"You appeared to think that impressing your criminal associates was more important than your public office as a police officer."

Mitigating, Kevin Baumber said Davies was "extremely sorry" and there was "no element of profit".

Mr Baumber added: "He has pursued a similar line of work in loss prevention, but with the utmost integrity, skill and practical results."

Independent Office for Police Conduct director Emily Barry said: "Adam Davies's actions were corrupt and criminal. We expect the police to clamp down on criminal activity, not assist criminals.

"He abused his position of power in a complete betrayal of the public's trust and such behaviour has no place in policing."

Davies, who joined Surrey Police in May 2017, was ordered to undertake 180 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 10 days.

Economy

Inverness park sauna plan recommended for approval

by Jose
written by Jose

Councillors have been asked to approve plans for a 26-seat electric community sauna in an Inverness public park.

Community Sauna Highland's proposal for Bellfield Park, which is in a residential area on the city's riverside, includes a cold plunge pool and changing room.

Highland Council has received 12 objections and 13 messages of support to the plans.

Officials at the local authority have recommended that next week's south planning applications committee grant full planning permission, but with conditions.

They include restrictions on noise and a requirement that a member of staff is at the site at all times when open.

Business

Listed building set for renovation

by William
written by William

A "cherished" heritage building is set for renovation after plans were given the green light.

Sunderland City Council's planning department has approved proposals to replace some of the non-historic windows at Kepier Hall, off Church Street, in Houghton-le-Spring.

The building is Grade II* listed and according to Historic England has parts that date back to the 16th Century.

It was a school until the 1920s before becoming a church hall and is currently used by community groups and as accommodation.

A small number of historic timber windows had been retained in the oldest parts of the building, but the majority had been replaced with poor quality replicas, many as part of 2008 restoration, according to Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A design and access statement said the works would ensure Kepier Hall remained a "valuable and cherished asset to the local community for generations to come".

According to a planning application form, which was submitted to the council in April, development works started in late-2024 but had not been completed.

The council's conservation department noted the listed building was "highly significant" and had been extended in the 1980s to provide a community hall, which has been managed by the Kepier Trust "for many years".

Business

Two teenagers jailed for murder of unarmed man

by Lucas
written by Lucas

Two teenagers have been jailed for life for the "cowardly" murder of a man who police said "was outnumbered and unarmed".

Ryan Wedderburn, 18, and Kirk Harris, 19, were found guilty of murdering Robert Robinson, 21, in Deptford, south-east London, on 6 June last year.

Wedderburn was sentenced to a minimum term of 23 years on Thursday while Harris was handed a minimum term of 22 years and nine months. Dalziell Wedderburn was acquitted in the trial at the Old Bailey.

Det Insp Neil Tovey, said: "I am pleased that we have today secured justice for the family and friends of Robert. He was stabbed to death in a brutal attack in a residential road when numerous families would have been home."

Met Police
Kirk Harris (left) and Ryan Wedderburn were found guilty of stabbing Robert Robinson

He added: "Robert was a young man who had his whole life ahead of him, it was instead taken away by Wedderburn and Harris in a senseless attack. Robert tried to run for his life, but was chased down and viciously attacked.

"His family listened to the details of the attack and watched the CCTV of Robert's last moments.

"They also heard the evidence from Wedderburn and Harris where they attempted to justify their actions.

"I would like to pay tribute to the dignity that Robert's family and friends have shown throughout the trial."

Industry

'Vandals destroyed all our village flowers'

by Nolan
written by Nolan

People from a village in Liverpool have said they are outraged after flowers worth thousands of pounds were destroyed by vandals.

Woolton in Bloom has said planters have been torn from their pots and thrown to the ground, causing about £3,000 of damage.

The charity has said it has CCTV footage showing young people in balaclavas pulling up the flowers and throwing them at cars.

Kerry Peacock from Woolton in Bloom, said "every time we've put plants in this year they have come and pulled them out".

Woolton in Bloom said the vandalism is "an affront" to the people who maintain the flowers

She told BBC Radio Merseyside the issue had been ongoing for three years.

"They're throwing them at cars and leaving them anywhere all over the ground to die."

Merseyside Police have been contacted for comment.

'Threatening behaviour'

Woolton in Bloom was founded back in 2000 by a group of volunteers who were keen to "improve and enhance" the village.

Woolton won the 2014 Champion of Champions award at the Britain in Bloom awards, as well as first prize in the Large Village category in 2013, 2010, and 2008.

They have not competed since but said people still work to maintain the flowers.

Ms Peackock said: "Woolton in Bloom is a whole village effort. People help and support us all year, so this is an affront to all of them.

"We are intimidated by these people. They all have bikes, are wearing balaclavas, masks, and their behaviour is threatening."

Despite the recent reports of vandalism, Woolton was voted best place to live in the North West by the Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership.

The group's treasurer Viv Hicks said: "We have lots of fundraising initiatives and a yearly calendar supported by local businesses, and events.

"We have a store at the monthly market, and then we have the open gardens every other year where 600 people came through the village to admire it.

"And now they are getting thrown on the ground."

Woolton in Bloom said volunteers are now resorting to moving their planters out of the area, and that it will take some effort to fix the problem.

Market

A UK-US deal sounds good but it is all about the detail

by Jasmine
written by Jasmine

US Vice-President JD Vance said there was a "good chance" a trade deal could be reached with the UK, suggesting it would be easier to land than with other European countries due to "a much more reciprocal relationship".

UK business and trade minister Sarah Jones welcomed Vance's comments and said talks to secure a deal with the US were ongoing, but declined to provide a timeline on their progress.

"Nobody wants tariffs. No one wants a tariff war. We want to secure a deal with the US," she added.

The real question about positive comments by Vice-President JD Vance and Jones about a UK-US trade deal, is what they actually mean by the term "deal".

Just after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's visit to the White House in February, it was rather telling that the UK delegation referred to what was being negotiated as an "economic deal".

This was meant to show that this "deal" was not about an extensive free trade agreement, covering nearly all goods.

In Trump's first term, negotiations between the UK and US progressed fairly well up until the point controversial issues about medicine pricing and food standards emerged.

Trump's team told me back then that they were waiting to see how close the UK would remain to European Union rules after Brexit.

This time around, the "deal" seems to have been about science, technology and artificial intelligence cooperation in return for avoiding tariffs.

The US has wanted to talk about the UK's "tech tax" on mainly US digital companies, and has raised issues about the Online Safety Act.

However, there is a big problem now.

The US has now levied a 10% tax on UK imports as part of what it called its "reciprocal tariffs".

But there is no general problem with this trading relationship. In fact, the UK buys more from the US than the other way around.

The mood music from Washington is that this 10% tariff is not for negotiation with anyone. That is the baseline tariff that has been levied on nearly all of America's trading partners.

Making an exception for one country would simply invite significant trade diversion.

Tech

Explosion community 'relieved but still in pain'

by Nora
written by Nora

A community area devastated by an explosion at a cannabis factory which left a man and a seven-year-old boy dead has been described as "relieved but still in pain" following the end of the court case.

Reece Galbraith, 33, of Gateshead, was jailed for 14 years for the blast at Violet Close in Benwell, Newcastle, in October 2024 which killed Archie York and Jason Laws and forced 120 people from their homes.

Cornerstone Community Centre provided emotional support and co-ordinated donations of clothes, toys and essential items for those displaced.

Its operations manager Amy Sturdy said the sentence offered "some closure, but it doesn't take away the pain or the lasting effects of the tragedy".

Mrs Sturdy said: "The mood in the area is a mix of relief and lingering anger.

"No sentence can truly replace what was lost."

Those evacuated in the hours after the blast on 16 October had now been rehoused or returned to Violet Close, Newcastle City Council said.

Daniel Holland / LDRS
Cornerstone Community Centre received thousands of donations for displaced families

Thinking back to the aftermath of the blast, Mrs Sturdy said people were in disbelief, deeply shocked and sad.

"It was something they had never anticipated."

The hub on Armstrong Road received thousands of donations from across north-east England, and Mrs Sturdy said: "The sense of community spirit was heartwarming and showed the true heart of the North East."

  • 'My son was killed by criminals making cannabis'

She thanked the people who donated at the time and those who "tirelessly" volunteered.

"The generosity and compassion has been heartwarming," she said,

"The community spirit in Benwell has been incredible, as it always is."

Innovation

'An e-bike fire killed my sister in her home'

by Jason
written by Jason

"When you do come to realise that there's something wrong with your bike, it is going to be too late because we are talking about a very, very fast-developing fire that you will have not a chance to get past," says a sister in mourning.

Ehsia Johnson-Mall still struggles to come to terms with the loss of her sister, Natasha, at the age of 27 in November.

Natasha, along with her partner, 24-year-old Karlo Bogdan, died at the home they shared in Coventry after a battery Karlo had fitted to an e-bike caught fire.

Now, Ms Johnson-Mall is trying to raise awareness of the dangers of using home conversion kits to replace e-bike batteries.

Following her sister's death, Ehsia Johnson-Mall is aiming to raise awareness of the danger of fitting batteries to e-bikes at home

The deaths of the couple were ruled as accidental at an inquest in February.

An investigation by West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) said the blaze started when the battery ignited and "rapidly escalated into an intense blaze".

It said that over the past two years it had seen a 50% increase in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, which are often found on e-bikes.

WMFS
The whole of Natasha and Karlo's home was badly damaged in the blaze

WMFS said it was concerned that people underestimated the dangers posed, especially if the batteries degrade.

"The battery that we believe Karlo had purchased was actually subject to a product recall before he'd actually purchased it due to… other fires that have happened nationally," said fire investigation officer Annette Carrington. "It's obvious that this risk was unknown to Karlo."

Fire investigation officer Annette Carrington says people underestimate the risk posed by e-bike batteries

It is thought that nationally, 15 people have died in fires caused by e-bike batteries.

Ms Johnson-Mall believes the night the fire that killed her sister broke out was the first night the bike was left charging in the hall – and is determined to make people aware of the risks.

"I know Karlo would be absolutely devastated at himself," she said. "Knowing that he had an item that was his possession that had caused this fatality."

WMFS
Natasha Johnson-Mall and Karlo Bogdan lived together in Coventry

A memorial bench has been placed outside Natasha and Karlo's home, but Ms Johnson-Mall wants her sister's legacy to be that no other lives are lost in the same way.

"The fact that we've got to sit on a bench with her name on it and not sit with her on a garden bench is just unfair beyond belief."

A memorial bench has been placed outside Natasha and Karlo's home in Coventry

Ms Carrington agrees that people need to understand the dangers.

"Imagine 70 or 80 fireworks going off at one point," she explained. "I would never advise anyone to carry out their own conversion.

"Is a life worth the risk? I would say no."

Industry

Former nurse died of asbestos exposure at hospital

by Jose
written by Jose

A retired nurse died from lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos in the hospital where she worked, an inquest has concluded.

Jean Elizabeth McCluskey, 77, from Wrexham, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in February 2020, and died five years later in February 2025.

The inquest in Ruthin was told mesothelioma is a type of cancer which develops in the lining of the lungs and chest and is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos.

In a statement written before her death, Ms McCluskey described how asbestos dust would regularly be in the atmosphere at the former War Memorial Hospital in Wrexham, where she worked from 1963 until its closure in 1986.

Business

PC accused of groping woman would have been sacked

by Stella
written by Stella

A police officer accused of groping a colleague during a night out would have been sacked if he had not resigned, a disciplinary hearing has ruled.

The panel found that Joshua Barden's actions amounted to sexual misconduct

The officer, who served at Northamptonshire Police, resigned on 21 March and did not attend the hearing on 15 May.

His conduct would have had "a significant impact on public confidence in the profession", the panel ruled.

Barden asked a female officer where she was interested in a relationship with him during a night out in 2022, the panel was told.

She had declined and walked away, but the colleague said Barden came up to her while she was talking to someone else and groped her chest.

When Barden was interviewed, he said he had consumed alcohol that night and could not remember the incident happening.

The witness provided a written statement about the incident earlier this year, which Barden did not challenge.

The hearing found that the misconduct had been "confined to a single episode and had been brief in duration".

Assistant Chief Constable Adam Ward, who chaired the panel, said there was "only one appropriate and proportionate conclusion that it could reach in the circumstances, namely, to impose disciplinary action".

"In practical terms, this means that had the former officer still been a member of the Northamptonshire police force, the panel would have dismissed him."