Kirsten Robertson

A 16-year-old boy on trial at Bristol Crown Court for the murder of Shayne Hambakachere told the jury he stabbed Shayne because he feared an attack and believed he had a weapon. Shayne, who was unarmed, had gone to the defendant’s home to resolve a dispute over stolen cannabis before the pair entered an alleyway. The defendant denied aiming for Shayne’s heart, said he was shocked after the stabbing, hid the knife and later lied to police. Prosecutors challenged his account, suggesting he had cultivated a violent reputation and could have contacted police. The trial is continuing.

A 16-year-old boy on trial at Bristol Crown Court for murdering Shayne Hambakachere told the jury that he armed himself and led Shayne to an alley intending to scare him, not kill him. He claimed he feared Shayne was connected to a gang involved in knife crime and believed Shayne might attack him. The defendant admitted filming the stabbing and later discarding the knife, while the prosecution questioned why he had robbed Shayne and possessed and displayed a knife. The trial is continuing.

The mother of a 16-year-old boy on trial for murdering Shayne Hambakachere told Bristol Crown Court that her son disclosed where he had hidden the knife used in the killing. The knife was later found in its sheath at a derelict care home. She also described her son's alleged involvement in drug dealing, changes in his friendships and clothing, fears of threats from other young people, and support offered by Escapeline. The court heard that Shayne was found awake and panicked but struggling to breathe after being stabbed in Chippenham in January.

ASK Danny, founded by Maria Lynch after the death of her son Danny in 2023, is opening a charity café at Manor Garden Centre in Swindon. Profits will help fund weekend healthcare assistants specialising in support for patients with learning disabilities at Great Western Hospital, where specialist weekday provision already exists. The charity also supplies comfort bears and resource boxes containing sensory items and colouring materials across the hospital's wards.

Prosecutors told Bristol Crown Court that 16-year-old Shayne Hambakachere was alone and unarmed when he was fatally stabbed in an alley in Chippenham on 31 January. The accused, another 16-year-old who cannot be named, denies murder. The prosecution alleged he launched an onslaught with a knife and filmed the attack on his phone. Shayne managed to identify the accused to police before being taken to hospital, where he died from a stab wound that reached his heart.

The High Court is reviewing the Parole Board’s decision to release Glyn Razzell, who was convicted in 2003 of murdering his estranged wife, Linda, whose remains have never been found. Linda’s cousin Julie Westmore told the court that releasing Razzell would destroy the family’s hope of locating her body, while prosecutors argued that his refusal to disclose the location continues to cause harm and reflects his deceitfulness. The defence said the Parole Board’s detailed decision properly assessed the risk and that withholding the information could not automatically prevent release. Razzell has previously been denied parole under Helen’s Law, which requires consideration of killers’ refusal to reveal where victims’ bodies are hidden.

Free SEND-focused and SEND-friendly activities are available across Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire during the summer holidays. Events include accessible sports, arts and sensory sessions, quiet splash-pad hours, cinema screenings, family play sessions, youth clubs and support meetings. Councils, community groups and charities are encouraging venues to make modest accessibility changes, while several programs offer free or low-cost opportunities without requiring advance booking.

Shane Porter, 35, has been charged with murdering 36-year-old Jimmy Ward after a fatal shooting at a travellers' site in Calcutt near Cricklade, Wiltshire. Porter is also charged with possessing a shotgun without a certificate. Eddie Porter and Tammy Brown face charges of assisting an offender and possessing a shotgun without a certificate. All three have been remanded in custody and are due to appear via video link at Swindon Magistrates' Court. Two other men arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have been released on bail, while police expect an increased presence at the site.

Somerset farmer Chris Cottrell filmed a rare waterspout forming over the Bristol Channel while feeding animals at Doniford Farm Park near Watchet. He initially mistook it for a boat on fire before seeing the spinning funnel move across the water and reach the sea. The footage was later shared on Facebook and attracted hundreds of views.

Somerset farmer Chris Cottrell filmed a rare waterspout forming over the Bristol Channel while feeding animals at Doniford Farm Park near Watchet. Initially mistaking it for a boat fire, he later recognized the spinning funnel as a tornado over water and shared the footage online. Waterspouts have also been photographed over the Bristol Channel in previous years.

Ellen Roome says videos and memories of her son Julian “Jools” Sweeney help her remain brave as she campaigns for stronger online safety protections. Jools died in 2022 in circumstances Roome attributes to an online challenge, and the High Court recently quashed the original coroner’s conclusion following her legal challenge. Roome is also seeking restrictions on children’s social media use and a law giving parents access to a deceased child’s online data.

Ellen Roome says memories and videos of her son Julian “Jools” Sweeney help her remain brave as she campaigns for stronger online safety protections. Jools died in 2022 after what Roome believes was an online challenge gone wrong; a later legal challenge led the High Court to quash the coroner’s conclusion, allowing the inquest to be reopened. Roome is also campaigning for a law requiring social media companies to provide parents with access to a deceased child’s data and for restrictions on children’s social media use. She discussed her grief and activism with Holly Willoughby in an episode of Willoughby’s new YouTube series.

A man in his 30s was shot dead at a travellers’ site in Calcutt near Cricklade at about 08:15 BST. Wiltshire Police arrested a man in his 70s and a woman in her 40s on suspicion of possessing a firearm and assisting an offender; both remained in custody. The site was sealed, the access road closed, and police appealed for witnesses as investigators worked to establish what happened and identify everyone involved.

Children aged five to 15 can travel free on most participating bus services across the West of England during the summer holidays, with the offer extending to 6 September in the region. The scheme covers operators including Stagecoach, First Bus, Pulhams and Faresaver, although some routes, such as specific Stonehenge tour buses, are excluded. Children aged 11 to 15 may travel alone, while those under 11 must be accompanied by an adult, and operators may require proof of age. Free travel funding has been secured for school holidays through 2029, with suggested routes and destinations spanning Bristol, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset.

Traditional Guy Fawkes carnivals across western England are facing rising costs, declining sponsorship, reduced public donations and difficulties recruiting younger volunteers. Trowbridge Carnival was cancelled for 2026 after organisers could not raise enough money to stage it safely, while Frome Carnival proceeded only after receiving last-minute funding. Organisers from other towns, including Pewsey, are considering greater cooperation to preserve the tradition. Despite the financial and demographic pressures, Bridgwater Carnival remains committed to continuing its large-scale event, and Trowbridge hopes to return in 2027.

Illicit cannabis gummies are being packaged to resemble familiar sweets, making them difficult for parents and teachers to identify and attractive to children. A packet seized from an 18-year-old in Swindon claimed to contain 1,000mg of THC, an extremely high amount, while experts warn that such products may also contain synthetic cannabinoids such as Spice. Because edible cannabis can take hours to produce effects and may be stronger than smoked cannabis, children risk consuming too much and becoming drowsy, dizzy, sick or seriously ill. Police, charities and drug researchers urge parents to inspect packaging for spelling errors or cannabis symbols, discuss the risks openly with children and report concerns.

A new swing bridge called Bushey Fox Bridge has been installed in Wichelstowe as part of the Wilts & Berks Canal restoration led by Swindon Borough Council. The project includes a 600‑metre canal extension supporting future canal use and providing public space for walking and cycling. Wichelstowe LLP and local officials report strong progress, while volunteers from the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust continue broader restoration efforts on the historic waterway.

A new sculpture called Penleigh Queen Bee will be installed at Penleigh Park in Westbury to raise awareness of declining bee populations and provide habitat for solitary and masonry bees. Created by artist Brendon Murless, the 7ft structure incorporates clay, steel and logs and was selected through a public vote. The project is supported by Westbury Town Council, Wiltshire Council and local residents as part of efforts to enhance the park and promote community engagement.

A signed shirt worn by England forward Roger Hunt during the 1966 World Cup is expected to fetch up to £8,000 at an auction in Devizes. Auctioneer Henry Aldridge & Son is offering the shirt, which Hunt wore when scoring twice against France, along with photographs from the era. Details of Hunt’s career, ties to the Devizes area and his role in England’s World Cup victory are highlighted.

Campaigners in Warminster continue pressing for the return of a mobile breast screening unit removed from a Morrisons car park due to anti-social behaviour. The Wiltshire Breast Screening Service has indicated a willingness to reinstate the unit in 2028 if a suitable new location is found. Local leaders, including councillor Liz Lee and David Rees of Health and Wellbeing Warminster, are identifying potential sites. MP Andrew Murrison has backed the effort, citing reduced access for higher‑risk groups. NHS England South West is working with local organisations to assess proposed sites to ensure safety and clinical suitability.

Volunteers across Wiltshire and the wider West are being encouraged to help Westbury Yarn Bombers create 10,000 handmade poppies for Remembrance Day. Supported by groups such as Crafting Smiles, which has already produced more than a thousand poppies, the installation will decorate lampposts and bollards throughout Westbury. A council donation is helping fund materials, and organisers plan to reuse the display for a future installation at Westbury Library.

An exhibition titled John Piper in the South Country has opened at Museum & Art Swindon, bringing together artworks inspired by Wiltshire and Dorset landscapes. The show features Piper’s depictions of local landmarks, including Avebury, Salisbury Plain, Stourhead and various churches, with many works drawn from private and public collections. Supported by the Wessex Museums Partnership and Arts Council England, the exhibition aims to give local residents access to nationally significant art and runs until September.

Police are searching for the driver of a Range Rover who fled after a collision with a Dacia on the A46 near Upper Swainswick, leaving three occupants of the Dacia hospitalised. The road is closed between London Road and the A420 as investigations continue, and officers are appealing for witnesses and dash‑cam footage.

Somerset Council is proposing a 10% increase in hackney carriage taxi fares to address rising fuel costs, raising the standard first‑mile tariff and associated charges. The proposal follows a survey showing majority support among licensed taxi proprietors. The council will review objections before finalizing the fare table, with potential changes to waiting time charges and the introduction of a discretionary booking fee aimed at improving service in rural areas.

A heatwave forced the Frampton Sheep Races to run without sheep for the first time, leading organisers to replace them with novelty human races such as barrel and wheelbarrow events. About 2,000 people attended despite the heat, and organisers said the atmosphere remained positive. The annual fundraiser supports local charities and typically features animal races, including past Shetland pony events.

A £2bn Ministry of Defence contract will introduce AI‑driven training systems for the British Army, aiming to prepare 60,000 soldiers annually for modern, technology‑driven warfare. Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said the investment will support hundreds of jobs, develop new apprenticeships with Wiltshire College and the University of Staffordshire, and expand advanced training using simulation, analytics and virtual environments. The upgrade supports wider government plans to boost defence readiness following a recent £15bn increase in military spending.

Inspectors found that maternity services at Great Western Hospital required improvement due to outdated clinical guidelines, unresolved incident reviews, and staffing visibility issues in the waiting area. Women reported supportive staff, but the Care Quality Commission cited risks created by gaps in oversight and delays in consultant reviews. Hospital leaders said significant improvements had been made and pledged further action, attributing earlier problems to instability in senior leadership. The hospital retained a good overall rating while continuing efforts to enhance maternity care.

James Dyson’s £7.8m donation will fund a new science and technology centre and nine classrooms at Malmesbury C of E Primary School following approval by Wiltshire Council. The project aims to expand capacity by 200 pupils and introduce advanced STEAM facilities, including laboratories equipped with high‑tech learning tools. School leaders and the James Dyson Foundation expect the expansion to be completed by September 2027 and emphasise its goal of inspiring future engineers.

Archaeological work at Brynards Hill in Royal Wootton Bassett revealed evidence of a circular bank and ditch enclosure with pottery dating to the late prehistoric period, indicating an Iron Age farming settlement rather than a hillfort. The discovery, supported by surveys and excavations from local and regional archaeological groups, is expected to revise the historical understanding of the area and ensure the site’s preservation in official records.

Temporary mobile units will open at Great Western Hospital in Swindon to relieve severe bed shortages and reduce corridor care. The new medical short stay unit will provide 20 additional beds for patients requiring up to 72 hours of treatment and will support future ward refurbishments by increasing overall capacity. The move follows record winter demand, high ambulance arrivals and emergency department pressure that have pushed bed occupancy to nearly 100 percent. Health authorities aim to improve patient flow, ensure safer staffing and expand same‑day emergency care as part of wider efforts to reduce strain on A&E services.

Jazz Carlin expressed disappointment at the planned closure of Swindon’s Tigersharks swimming club, where she trained during her early career. The club, founded in 1975, will close on 31 August due to financial deficits driven by rising pool costs and declining membership. Directors said all options to save the club had been exhausted and warned it would have run out of funds by December. Carlin and current head coach Rich Smith highlighted the club’s historical significance, community impact, and success in developing elite swimmers, including Paralympians and Olympians.

A coroner concluded that eight-year‑old Lennix Sutcliffe was likely hidden from the driver’s view when he was fatally struck by a Renault Kadjar in Dilton Marsh. Evidence from witnesses and police indicated he had been kneeling or crouched on the pavement and was not easily visible to driver Daniel Harford‑Jones, who was returning home and did not see him. Lennix’s family described their devastation and paid tribute to him, while police and forensic specialists detailed the circumstances surrounding the collision and the child’s final moments. Tributes from the community highlighted the boy’s positive nature and aspirations.