Jonny Humphries

Suspected palm oil has washed up on Egremont beach in Wirral, prompting warnings for dog owners and families. The waxy substance can attract dogs and may cause a fatal reaction if ingested. Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team removed larger pieces, while Wirral Council will arrange their disposal; further material may arrive with subsequent tides.

The City of Liverpool College has cancelled its A-level courses for the 2026/27 academic year, affecting an estimated 80 to 90 students who were informed on the day they collected their GCSE results. Lecturer Frankie Tibbles criticised the timing and said students were devastated, while principal Elaine Bowker said the provision was no longer viable because of falling applications, poor results and strong demand for technical and vocational courses. Second-year students will be allowed to complete their studies, and the college says it will help others find alternative A-level or technical courses. Staff teaching A-levels are expected to retain their jobs, and Liverpool City Council is discussing support for affected students.

The children's play area at Sefton Park in Liverpool will remain closed beyond its originally planned reopening because further vandalism damaged the flooring while repairs were delayed by extreme heat. Liverpool City Council will bring in a specialist contractor on 24 August and has apologised to families. Merseyside Police is appealing for information, while alternative play areas remain available at Princes Park, Aigburth Vale and Greenbank Park. The park is also scheduled for a full refurbishment next year.

Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram has warned that proposed changes to Merseyside household waste recycling centres could make recycling more difficult and increase fly-tipping. The proposals include an online booking system, annual limits on visits, mandatory separation of recyclable and non-recyclable waste, and restricting access to Merseyside residents. Rotheram said he would consider all options but would not support measures that discourage recycling, while Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority said the consultation aims to improve poor recycling rates and maintain services. Residents can submit views until 22 September.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK, with North-West England expected to see more than 90% of the Sun covered and the maximum occurring at about 19:10 BST. Viewing begins shortly after 18:00 and ends around 20:04, with higher ground and unobstructed western views offering the best vantage points. Public viewing events are planned at locations including Heaton Park, Crosby Beach, Jodrell Bank and Rossall Promenade. Experts warn that looking directly at the Sun, including through standard sunglasses, can cause permanent eye damage; certified eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector should be used.

The Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority is consulting residents on changes to household waste recycling centres, including a booking system, an annual fair-use visit limit, access restricted to Merseyside residents, and advance separation of recyclable waste. Feedback is requested by 22 September, with the authority saying the proposals aim to increase recycling and ensure the service meets future household needs.

Merseyside Police have renewed their appeal for information about the 1994 murder of 23-year-old Julie Finley, whose body was found in a carrot field near Rainford after she was strangled. Finley was last seen speaking to an unidentified man near the Royal Liverpool Hospital, while investigators are also seeking a woman known as Tina who previously contacted police. Despite forensic retesting, rewards and multiple appeals, no one has been arrested or charged. Police say information withheld through fear or loyalty could still help identify the killer.

Merseyside Police have renewed an appeal for information about the 1994 murder of 23-year-old Julie Finley, whose naked body was found in a carrot field near Rainford. Finley was last seen speaking to an unidentified man near the Royal Liverpool Hospital, and investigators are also seeking a woman known as Tina who previously said Finley planned to meet a taxi driver from Prescot. Despite forensic retesting, rewards and repeated appeals, no one has been arrested. Police say information withheld through fear or loyalty could still help solve the case, while Finley’s mother continues to seek justice.

Adam Johnson and Kylie Smith have been charged with causing or allowing the death of their one-year-old child, Maero Johnson, who died in hospital in August 2023 after suffering severe malnutrition and ketotic hypoglycaemia. Merseyside Police also charged the couple with child neglect and cannabis possession, stating that a second child was found neglected and under-developed. The pair are due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on 13 August.

A fire destroyed Blackstock Market’s roof garden in Vauxhall, north Liverpool, and spread to a second-floor office and mezzanine theatre. Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service extinguished the blaze between 02:57 and 05:15 BST; no one was injured, and the cause remains under investigation. The roof garden will remain closed for the rest of the year, while the venue is contacting affected customers and hopes to reopen the theatre soon. The remainder of the market remains open.

Nathan Owen was jailed for four years and three months after admitting dangerous driving and two counts of fraud linked to a fabricated claim that his Jaguar I-Pace could not stop on the M57. He drove at speeds of up to 86mph for 38 miles, collided with a police vehicle and prompted a major police operation before being boxed in and stopped. The court heard he staged the incident to escape a vehicle finance agreement and later sold the story to newspapers for £800. The resulting publicity reportedly forced Jaguar Land Rover to allocate £50m to marketing efforts. Owen was also banned from driving for five years and until passing an extended test.

Bandar Alzahar, 21, has been charged with attempted murder and possessing a bladed article in public after a 19-year-old man was stabbed on Church Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter on 31 July. The victim remains in stable condition in hospital with life-threatening injuries. Alzahar was arrested at Manchester Airport within three hours of the attack and remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court. Greater Manchester Police continues to appeal for witnesses and relevant CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage.

Police launched a manhunt after 22-year-old Stephen Grzyb escaped from a GEOAmey prisoner van outside Liverpool Magistrates' Court. He had been transported from Belle Vale custody suite to face burglary charges and fled towards the Strand at about 10:00 BST. Merseyside Police released a description, warned the public not to assist him and increased protection for the alleged burglary victim while urging anyone with information to come forward.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the death of 28-year-old autistic man Ricky Swindells after Greater Manchester Police officers handcuffed him during a mental health crisis in Salford. The investigation will examine officers’ decision-making and whether the restraint was necessary and proportionate. Officers became concerned about Swindells’ breathing several minutes after he was restrained and began first aid, but he later died in hospital. Initial post-mortem results did not establish a cause of death, with toxicology and further forensic work ongoing. GMP has referred itself to the watchdog and said it is supporting the independent investigation.

A 19-month-old girl was found severely malnourished, dehydrated and covered in sores in February 2025, weighing less than half the average weight for her age. A safeguarding review found that Rochdale social services closed her case 19 days earlier despite concerns about neglect, the mother’s lack of engagement and the child not being seen by a professional for weeks. The review said the decision not to investigate under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 was problematic and identified failures to examine who was caring for the child and the mother’s reliance on her own mother. Rochdale’s safeguarding partnership accepted the findings and said it was taking action.

Former Labour MP adviser Matthew Torbitt pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates' Court to two counts of fraud by false representation. He admitted claiming rail tickets and travel and accommodation expenses that were not for parliamentary purposes between 2022 and 2024, with the claims initially estimated at more than £6,000. The case has been sent to Snaresbrook Crown Court for sentencing, which is expected to take place in at least four weeks.

Anthony Gordon’s rise from a talented schoolboy in Liverpool to an England World Cup performer is recounted through teachers and coaches who describe his determination, speed and mindset as key to his success. Despite early rejection by Liverpool FC, his development accelerated at Everton’s academy, supported by long training days and strong family involvement. Former staff at his schools recall his exceptional drive, goal-scoring prowess and sacrifices made to reach the top level. His achievements now inspire students at his former schools, who see his journey as proof that ambition and hard work can lead to elite success.

Liverpool’s hospitality sector warns that reduced free evening parking hours and higher charges have worsened staffing and safety issues, particularly for low‑paid and lone female night‑time workers. Business leaders argue the changes discourage visitors and increase costs for employees, while a forthcoming legal challenge claims the council acted improperly and failed to consider gendered impacts. Liverpool City Council maintains it acted lawfully and will respond formally in court.

Residents of Church Road in Northwich criticised a Cheshire West and Chester Council investigation into World Cup-themed flags and bunting attached to lamp-posts, calling the action excessive and unnecessary. Locals said the decorations created a sense of community and caused no harm, while the council argued that unauthorised fixtures on lamp‑posts present safety hazards and have previously fallen onto vehicles. Residents remain free to display flags on their own property.

Contractors carrying out sewer excavation work in Maghull caused extensive damage to Openreach underground cables, cutting internet and phone services for about 3,000 customers. Businesses, including Meadows Pharmacy, have struggled without access to essential systems, relying on temporary workarounds. Openreach engineers are assessing the unstable excavation site and repairing several damaged cables but have given no timescale for restoration.

A teaching assistant at a Bolton school was arrested on suspicion of child grooming after police were alerted to inappropriate communication with a pupil. Greater Manchester Police are questioning the man in connection with alleged offences involving three girls and are investigating whether more children may be affected. Officers urged the public not to speculate or share names online to avoid jeopardising the inquiry. The affected families are receiving support, and police have asked anyone with relevant information to come forward.

A taxi driver who transported Axel Rudakubana to a Southport dance studio before the fatal 2024 stabbing attack has had his licence revoked after a local authority review concluded he failed to meet required standards. Inquiry evidence showed he fled as children escaped the scene and waited nearly an hour before calling emergency services. The Southport Inquiry identified systemic failures among agencies involved with Rudakubana and criticised a pattern of responsibility being passed between them. The UK government says it will implement all recommendations from the inquiry’s first phase, with the next phase to examine how systems handle risks posed by young people capable of extreme violence.

A government minister said officials are exploring all legal options to deport grooming gang leader Shabir Ahmed, whose release from prison has alarmed victims. Ahmed, stripped of British citizenship, cannot currently be deported due to protections for long‑term Commonwealth residents under the Immigration Act 1971. Labour figures including Jacqui Smith, Jim McMahon and Andy Burnham support closing the legal loophole, though it is unclear whether changes could apply retrospectively. Victims and campaigners express fears for safety, while the Home Office states Ahmed will be released under strict licence conditions, electronic monitoring and exclusion zones.

Officials are examining all legal avenues to deport convicted grooming gang leader Shabir Ahmed after victims learned he was due for release and protected from removal under the Immigration Act 1971. The law’s provision safeguarding pre-1973 Commonwealth arrivals prevents deportation, prompting calls from Labour figures including Jim McMahon and Andy Burnham to close the loophole. Victims express fear over Ahmed’s release, citing past encounters with other offenders and concerns about safety. Authorities have imposed strict licence conditions, including electronic monitoring and exclusion zones, to mitigate risk.

Survivors of the Rochdale grooming gang learned via social media that ringleader Shabir Ahmed is set for release, prompting criticism of poor communication from authorities. Ahmed cannot be deported due to protections under the Immigration Act 1971 but will face strict licence conditions. Victims and campaigners express fear over his release and frustration with repeated institutional failings, while MP Jim McMahon calls for changes to deportation and sentencing laws to prevent similar cases in future.

A High Court judge ruled that a six‑month suspension imposed on dentist Yasir Rahman for repeated sexual and racist behaviour toward colleagues was too lenient. Rahman’s conduct included demeaning sexual comments, racist remarks and inappropriate physical contact at a Manchester dental practice. The court found the original disciplinary panel underestimated the severity and cumulative impact of his actions, noting an ongoing risk of repetition. The ruling orders a fresh hearing before a new committee. The General Dental Council welcomed the decision, highlighting the importance of strong sanctions for persistent sexual misconduct.

A woman described how staff at Bury Hospice brought comfort and dignity to her husband’s final months after he was diagnosed with terminal head and neck cancer. A pair of knitted hearts offered by the hospice became a powerful source of solace, prompting an appeal for volunteers to produce more. Despite an initial prognosis of two weeks, her husband lived for two additional months under hospice care, which eased her burden and allowed them meaningful time together. She continues to support the hospice through fundraising and advocacy.

A man from Greater Manchester, Asad Hussain, was jailed for eight years for stalking, assault and failing to provide device passwords after creating fake Tinder profiles in his ex-partner’s name and directing men to her home with messages suggesting violent sexual fantasies. At least 18 men were deceived over more than a month, causing significant distress and danger to the victim and her daughter. Police identified Hussain through doorbell camera footage, vehicle checks and digital evidence linking him to the fake accounts. Cheshire Police described the case as highly complex and stressed that online anonymity offers no protection for those committing violence against women.

A man from Greater Manchester was jailed for eight years for creating fake Tinder profiles in his ex-partner’s name and sending men to her home under the guise of a violent sexual fantasy. At least 18 men were deceived over more than a month, causing significant fear for the victim and her family. The investigation by Cheshire Police linked the activity to devices used by Asad Hussain, who attempted to evade detection by changing car registrations and discarding phones. Evidence showed he routinely travelled to the victim’s area while operating the fake accounts. Hussain was convicted of stalking causing serious alarm or distress, assault, and failing to provide device passwords.