Hayley Coyle

A grey Volvo containing a two-year-old child was stolen from Long Thorpe Lane in Wakefield at about 20:30 BST while the child’s parents were nearby. The car was abandoned near Woodlesford Lock in Leeds within 15 minutes, after which officers cared for the child and returned them safely to their family. The suspect remains at large and West Yorkshire Police are continuing their investigation.

A 70-year-old man died after his Nissan Note veered off the A58 Halifax Road near Hipperholme and crashed into a stone wall. Emergency services treated him at the scene, but he later died. West Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses and video footage to assist their investigation.

Sheffield City Council has extended financial support for traders affected by the two-week closure of Moor Market following a cockroach infestation. Eligible traders will receive an additional month of rent and service-charge relief plus a one-off £500 recovery payment. The market reopened on 13 July after treatment, deep cleaning and monitoring found no pest activity for two consecutive days. The council attributed heightened pest activity partly to sustained hot weather and said it had invested in further pest control and a marketing campaign to restore customer confidence.

A three-car collision at the A19 Balne crossroads left the 39-year-old Audi driver from Selby in critical condition, with other occupants of the vehicles suffering non-life-threatening injuries. North Yorkshire Police implemented road closures for investigative work and appealed for witnesses who saw the vehicles before the crash.

A hedgehog found in a Yeadon garden covered in blue and yellow paint required extensive treatment after fumes and thick coating caused breathing problems and restricted movement. Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue removed the paint and administered care, with concerns the animal could have died from predation, poisoning, or starvation. Authorities appealed for information, while conservation groups noted ongoing declines in hedgehog populations. The hedgehog will be microchipped and returned once fully recovered.

A 23-year-old man, Joshua Hodlin, appeared at Leeds Crown Court charged with murdering 75-year-old Shirley Hodlin, who died in a house fire in Knottingley on 5 July. He did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing scheduled for 7 September.

Residents of Halifax express disappointment over Lloyds Banking Group’s decision to retire the Halifax brand after 173 years, arguing the change erodes the town’s heritage and identity. Local voices highlight the bank’s historical importance as a major employer and cultural symbol, while experts note that longstanding brands carry emotional value and should be modernised carefully. Lloyds says customer services will remain unchanged, and the rebrand is expected to take effect in 2027 across existing Halifax sites.

A 34-year-old motorcyclist, Christopher Wilson from Kellington, died after a collision on the A19 near Chapel Haddlesey. His family paid tribute, describing him as a much‑loved relative and new father. Police stated the driver of the involved car is assisting with inquiries and appealed for information from the driver of a red Seat Ibiza believed to have been nearby.

A Leeds man, Thomas Sherwood, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for causing the death of 18‑year‑old Georgia Bendelow while driving at 80mph in a 50mph zone in August 2022. Bendelow died after being airlifted to hospital, and her mother and boyfriend were seriously injured in the crash. Sherwood was convicted of death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury, having also admitted driving uninsured. West Yorkshire Police emphasised that excessive speed caused the fatal collision, and the victim’s family expressed their ongoing grief despite the sentencing.

Police identified Dylan Sumner as the motorcyclist who died in a collision with a van on Saddleworth Road in Greetland. The 29-year-old from Widnes was riding a Yamaha MT when he crashed with a Fiat Ducato on 25 June. A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released on bail. Officers are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage from the area near Gate Head Lane.