Alec Whitaker

A dramatic partial solar eclipse was visible across Cumbria, with more than 90% of the Sun obscured at its peak. Residents, photographers and astronomy groups gathered to watch the event, while experts advised using certified eclipse glasses or indirect viewing methods to prevent eye damage. The gallery presents reader-submitted photographs of the eclipse.

Two sunbed businesses in Lancaster are under investigation after allowing a 15-year-old volunteer to pay for and use tanning equipment during a council-led test purchase operation. Four other salons refused access and will receive letters recognising their compliance. Lancaster City Council and Lancashire County Council Trading Standards are following up with the businesses that failed, with possible formal warnings or further enforcement action. The council highlighted that commercial sunbed use is illegal for under-18s and cited World Health Organization evidence linking early sunbed use to significantly higher melanoma risk.

Christopher Turner, a homeless 39-year-old from Kendal, avoided immediate imprisonment after admitting a third breach of a restraining order by attending the complainant’s home. Prosecutors described the incident as deliberate and high-risk, while the defence said he had been invited inside because of the rain and was engaging with support services. Magistrates suspended a 10-week prison sentence for 12 months, alongside existing requirements for unpaid work and rehabilitation, and ordered him to pay £85 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

Scott Wylie pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating after headbutting a woman in the face and pushing her friend during a dispute over a missing phone following a meeting at Boaters Bar in Bowness-on-Windermere. The court heard that Wylie had been drinking and has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, but that he is remorseful and had been sober for 60 days. Magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report, adjourned sentencing to September 7 at Carlisle Magistrates' Court, and granted Wylie unconditional bail.

Jonesy, an eight-month-old Welsh terrier, disappeared from The Helm in Oxenholme but was safely found the following morning sheltering under a tree. The dog was unharmed and reunited with its owner after a community search involving tracker-dog volunteer Lucy Rose Green, Kenzie’s K9s Animal Search & Rescue, family members and local residents.

Cumbria Police are investigating an alleged shoplifting incident at Booths supermarket in Ulverston and have released a CCTV image of a person they want to identify and speak with. The theft reportedly occurred around 11:59 a.m. on May 3, with several items allegedly taken without payment. Witnesses can contact police online or via 101, or provide information anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Adam Downing, 38, of Barrow, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, driving with cocaine above the legal limit and driving without third-party insurance. He was stopped on the A590 near Junction 36 of the M6 after driving a Ford Fiesta while disqualified and recorded 68 micrograms of cocaine in his blood, against a legal limit of 10. His solicitor said he drove because a friend was too ill to drive and that he had otherwise made positive changes. Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order requiring 300 hours of unpaid work, extended his driving disqualification by 44 months, and ordered him to pay £114 in surcharge and £85 in costs.

Hayden Fleming was jailed for a consecutive 12 weeks after pleading guilty to driving while disqualified and uninsured with ketamine levels more than eight times the prosecution limit, as well as possessing 10.5 grams of crack cocaine and 24.5 grams of heroin. He was stopped near junction 36 of the M6 while driving a Mercedes-Benz and had also tested positive for cannabis below the legal limit. Magistrates imposed a four-year-and-20-day driving ban, a £154 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.

Matthew Close, 33, pleaded guilty to twice breaching a family court non-molestation order by texting his former partner seeking sex and repeatedly visiting her home at night, banging on the windows and refusing to leave. The woman said the conduct triggered anxiety and made her fear for her children and feel she needed to move. Magistrates imposed a high-level 12-month community order requiring 300 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days, along with a 12-month restraining order, £85 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Landscape gardener Leon Jones, 34, pleaded guilty at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court to driving with THC above the legal limit after police stopped him on the A591. Officers detected cannabis in his Volkswagen and a roadside test was positive; blood analysis recorded a lowest THC reading of 6.7 micrograms per litre. The court heard that Jones had used cannabis since age 14 but had reduced his consumption by 90%. He was fined £369, ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £148 victim surcharge, and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

David Loughlin pleaded guilty at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court to common assault and two criminal-damage offences after threatening to kill a family member, setting fire to bedding and throwing a brick at a car during a stay in Ambleside. The damage cost £2,223.45 to repair. The court heard that Loughlin had relapsed into alcohol use and had schizophrenia. He received a 12-month community order requiring 70 hours of unpaid work, 12 weeks of supervision and 15 rehabilitation days, along with £200 compensation, £300 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Alexander William Salehi pleaded guilty at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court to driving his BMW with THC levels above the legal limit after overturning the vehicle on the A593 near Ambleside. The court heard he had also tested positive for alcohol after drinking at a pub, although he was sentenced for the drug-driving offence. Magistrates ordered him to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, banned him from driving for 29 months, and imposed £85 in costs plus a £114 victim surcharge.

The Priory Hotel in Cartmel is warning customers about suspected fraudulent bookings made through Algotels after several guests arrived with paid reservations that the hotel never received. The hotel says Algotels shows availability, takes full payment and issues confirmations, but no bookings reach the property. It notes that Algotels carries low Trustpilot ratings with reports of missing reservations, poor customer service and refund issues. The hotel is raising the issue with Trivago and Algotels and advises customers to book directly and verify unfamiliar sites before paying.

Buttermere and Castlerigg Stone Circle ranked among the UK’s top scenic views in a new survey commissioned by Samsung, which placed Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament first. The research highlights how social media increasingly influences travel decisions, with many people visiting locations they see online. Other high-ranking sites include Giant’s Causeway, Arthur’s Seat, St Michael’s Mount and Durdle Door.

The Lake District is expected to experience its busiest summer weekend in four years, with over 14 million drivers forecast on UK roads. National congestion is set to peak on Saturday, and the North West, including Cumbria, is projected to be among the most heavily affected areas. Key routes such as the A591 and approaches from the M6 are likely to see long delays, with major bottlenecks around popular towns including Windermere, Ambleside, and Keswick. Accommodation bookings are already strong, and fuel costs have risen compared with last summer. Authorities advise travelling outside peak hours, using recommended motorway junctions, pre‑booking parking, and preparing carefully for outdoor activities due to expected crowding.

A Polish scaffolder was convicted at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court for driving with amphetamine and THC above legal limits after being stopped in Meathop. With previous relevant convictions, he received a 12‑month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work, a 42‑month driving ban, and financial penalties. His solicitor said the conviction may force him to return to Poland due to difficulties securing work.

A woman with a history of theft convictions was fined after admitting to stealing £62.25 of alcohol from Booths in Kendal. CCTV footage and Operation Retail identified her as the offender. She cited past alcohol addiction and substance influence at the time of the offence and said she is working with Recovery Steps. Magistrates imposed a £40 fine, full compensation, a victim surcharge and court costs.

An Egyptian chef, Ahmed Bayoumy, was fined £600 and ordered to comply with five years of sex offender notification requirements after admitting to sexually assaulting a teenage girl and a woman in the Lake District. Judge David Pugh imposed the fine to enable his immediate deportation. Victim statements described lasting emotional harm. Bayoumy, who has no previous UK convictions, intends to return to Egypt, according to his defence solicitor.

Magistrates fined Rebecca Woodend and imposed a community order, including rehabilitation days and alcohol treatment, after she admitted to thefts from Tesco and Morrisons and a bail offence. Despite her previous convictions and a suspended sentence, the court ruled that activating custody would be unjust, citing her personal challenges and ongoing efforts to address them.

Cumbria Police released the custody image of Michael Austin, who was jailed after driving at 92 mph on the A590 while more than eight times over the drug-driving limit for cocaine, with traces of cannabis also detected. Stopped in a Vauxhall Astra at a petrol station following speed monitoring, he admitted drug driving and speeding offences. Magistrates sentenced him to four weeks in custody, imposed a driving ban of three years and two weeks, and ordered a victim surcharge.

A Kendal man who had never passed his driving test received a 16‑month driving ban and a fine after being found over the legal alcohol limit while behind the wheel of an Audi. Police boxed in the vehicle on Burton Road and recorded a breathalyser reading of 59 micrograms of alcohol. He also admitted having no insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and possessing a small amount of cannabis. Mitigation highlighted that he had driven only a short distance. Additional court costs and the destruction of the cannabis were ordered.

A 20‑year‑old RAF hopeful, Michael Milby, received a 12‑month community order, 100 hours of unpaid work and a 12‑month driving ban after admitting to causing serious injury by careless driving in a crash on the A590 near Ulverston. A passenger was ejected from the vehicle and suffered multiple injuries. The court heard Milby lost control while driving too fast over a hump and later took responsibility in interviews. His defence noted the incident occurred when he was 18 and may temporarily hinder his planned RAF career.

A man from Staveley pleaded guilty to twice breaching a non‑molestation order after persistently messaging his former partner for sex and visiting her home, causing distress and prompting police involvement. The court heard that the behaviour occurred despite restrictions preventing contact or attendance at her address. His ex‑partner reported anxiety and safety concerns. Magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of sentencing, citing the risk of further offending and indicating that an immediate custodial sentence is likely.

A Barrow woman, Crystal Harrop, received a 24‑month driving ban and 100 hours of unpaid work after admitting two drug‑driving offences, both involving THC levels above the legal limit. She had already been disqualified earlier following a separate offence. Her solicitor stated she used prescribed medicinal cannabis for ADHD but had supplemented it with additional cannabis. Magistrates also imposed court costs and a victim surcharge.

A Kendal man who cares for his mother was banned from driving for 12 months after admitting to driving with cannabis above the legal limit. Police stopped Jason Paul Beattie after detecting the smell of cannabis and a DrugWipe test confirmed a positive reading. His defence highlighted the impact the ban would have on his caring responsibilities. Magistrates imposed a £120 fine, court costs and a victim surcharge.

A police stop on the M6 near Tebay resulted in Luke Manley-Ward testing positive for cannabis and admitting to driving without a licence or insurance. He pleaded guilty to drug driving and related offences while appearing remotely from HMP Leeds. Magistrates fined him, imposed a 12‑month driving ban, and ordered costs and forfeiture of the cannabis. He is also awaiting sentencing at Bradford Crown Court for unrelated burglary offences.

A patient transport ambulance collided with a parked van on Caton Road in Lancaster, leaving a woman in her 50s seriously injured and three others with minor injuries. Lancashire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit has opened an investigation and appealed for witnesses or dashcam footage to assist their inquiry.