Raphael Boyd

Five Palestine Action activists convicted of causing more than £200,000 in damage to a Barclays branch in Burnley will not be sentenced as terrorists. Judge Altham ruled that the damage did not meet the high threshold for terrorism sentencing because the site was not a sensitive property and the attack was smaller than comparable incidents. The five will still receive criminal-damage sentences next month, but are expected to face shorter prison terms. The defendants and Amnesty International UK welcomed the ruling while criticizing the consideration of terrorism powers and calling for Palestine Action’s proscription to be lifted. Barclays said it had sold its Elbit Systems shares in October 2024 and had previously held them only for client-driven transactions.

A coroner ruled that disability campaigner Claire Lomas’s death was accidental after she suffered severe injuries when an adapted microlight crashed into rocks during a landing in Amman, Jordan, in July 2024. Lomas died five weeks later. The inquest found no evidence that safety-procedure violations, the attached camera or deficiencies in the risk assessment caused the crash, although concerns about her confidence and the quality of her hospital treatment were examined. Lomas’s family said the conclusion ended a difficult process but described the enduring impact of her death.

Two approximately 320kg bluefin tuna were caught off Whitby, the first landed for market from the North Sea since the 1960s. Researchers attribute the species’ return mainly to improved fisheries management and protection in Mediterranean spawning grounds, with warmer North Sea temperatures and increased prey availability also contributing. Experts welcome the recovery as a marine-conservation success but warn that climate change, pollution, illegal fishing and inconsistent policies could hinder the tuna’s long-term return to Yorkshire and expansion into Scottish waters.

Emma Atkinson, 38, died after falling from a ninth-storey window in her father’s Leeds flat while seven months pregnant. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene, and doctors performed an emergency caesarean at Leeds General Infirmary about 30 minutes later. Her daughter survived injuries including a punctured lung and fractured tibia and has since recovered. A Wakefield inquest found that Atkinson deliberately removed the window’s safety catches and propelled herself out, but could not determine conclusively whether she intended to end her life, citing conflicting evidence about her mental health, recent behavior and plans with family.

Christopher Wright, a 73-year-old South Yorkshire farmer, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 35 years for murdering his lodger Richard Dyson in 2019. Wright shot Dyson during an argument, dismembered his body and concealed the remains in a concrete-filled barrel. Friend Karl Schwalbe helped conceal the crime and received a three-year sentence. Dyson’s remains were discovered in July 2025 after new evidence led police to search Wright’s farm. The court heard that Wright’s actions and continued denials prolonged the suffering of Dyson’s family.

Rukhsar Ahmed, a former Pakistani state minister and recently re-elected member of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir assembly, was arrested at Manchester Airport in July 2024 over allegations that he raped and trafficked vulnerable girls in care during the 1990s. He remains on UK police bail and reportedly missed a scheduled appointment because he was too unwell to fly, despite appearing at political events in Pakistan. Greater Manchester Police may seek a warrant or extradition if he fails to attend again. Ahmed has not responded to requests for comment, and the allegations remain under investigation. The case has potential diplomatic implications amid tensions between the UK and Pakistan over the handling of convicted grooming-gang offenders.

Rupert Lowe accused Nigel Farage of falsely claiming that he had proposed a phone call about a possible Reform UK–Restore Britain alliance, although Lowe said his offer remained open. Farage said he was willing to begin negotiations if Lowe genuinely wanted talks, while expressing support for a broader centre-right alliance. Reform’s proposal to use the Royal Navy to intercept small boats in the Channel drew criticism from Downing Street and a former navy officer. The live blog also reported investigations into Richard Tice and DUP MP Sammy Wilson over possible failures to declare interests, renewed scrutiny of Farage’s political return and a £5m crypto-related donation, and wider developments involving climate change, education reform, Greater Manchester transport, devolution and the review into David Amess’s murder.

Wallsend Boys, a grassroots club in working-class North Tyneside founded in 1904, has developed numerous elite footballers, including Elliot Anderson, Alan Shearer, Michael Carrick, Peter Beardsley and Fraser Forster. Its success is attributed less to a unique geographic factor than to a strong community culture emphasizing wellbeing, structure, respect and life skills. The club provides football for men and women alongside activities, meals and family support, while viewing professional players as a byproduct of its broader mission to serve the community.

Two boa constrictors were found on Blackwell Grange Golf Club in Darlington, County Durham, one week apart in June. Golf instructor Aaron Cox removed both snakes and took them to a reptile shop, but they later died from serious disease. The snakes were likely abandoned by an owner unable or unwilling to care for them, prompting criticism from Cox and a call from the RSPCA for anyone with firsthand information to come forward.

Andy Burnham’s move from Greater Manchester mayor to MP has opened a closely watched mayoral contest scheduled for 30 July. Labour has not yet selected a candidate, but Manchester council leader Bev Craig is widely viewed as the frontrunner and hopes to benefit from Burnham’s popularity. The Greens are campaigning aggressively behind Trafford councillor Geraldine Coggins and believe the supplementary vote system could help them reach the final round. Reform UK also sees an opportunity but faces pressure after three weak byelection performances, while Rupert Lowe’s far-right Restore Britain could divide its support. If Labour and the Greens split the progressive vote, Reform could reach the runoff.

National Highways is testing whether low-flying drones used to inspect motorways and major roads would distract drivers. A virtual reality simulation developed by MXT with Arup has been conducted in London, Manchester and Birmingham with 120 regular drivers and 19 heavy goods vehicle drivers, measuring reactions such as heart rate, eye movement, speed and steering. About half noticed the drones, but relatively few considered them hazardous. National Highways hopes to deploy smaller, cheaper drones at heights of 10 to 20 metres above roads by early 2027, potentially creating a model for highway authorities internationally.

Andy Burnham won the Makerfield byelection with 55% of the vote and a majority of 9,231 over Reform UK, returning to Westminster after nine years as Greater Manchester mayor. He called the result a last chance to change Britain and promised a new political path focused on hope, practical problem-solving and the needs of northern communities. The victory intensified pressure on Keir Starmer, with allies of Burnham and Wes Streeting urging cabinet ministers and Labour MPs to persuade Starmer to allow an orderly transition. Starmer insisted he would contest any Labour leadership election and argued that the result showed Reform UK had reached its peak. Elsewhere, the Conservatives won Aberdeen South after campaigning on North Sea oil and gas, while the SNP held Arbroath and Broughty Ferry. Burnham’s return is expected to trigger a leadership confrontation and a Greater Manchester mayoral byelection, while Reform’s failure to win Makerfield raises questions about its ability to convert strong national polling into byelection victories.

Andy Burnham won the Makerfield byelection with a 9,231-vote majority, taking 55% of the vote against Reform UK’s 35%. His victory drew support beyond traditional Labour voters, including Green supporters and some former Reform voters who saw him as the strongest candidate to block the right. The result was helped by subdued Liberal Democrat and Green campaigns, while the rightwing vote was divided between Reform UK and Restore Britain. Voters expressed concern about divisive immigration rhetoric and the impact of the campaign on local relationships, while hoping the constituency can come back together after the contest.

Jamie Varley was sentenced to a whole-life term and his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, to 25 years after both were convicted over the sexual abuse and murder of their adopted 13-month-old son, Preston Davey. The court heard that Preston suffered months of physical and sexual abuse before dying from airway obstruction, with medical evidence disproving Varley’s claim that he had accidentally drowned in a bath. Evidence included disturbing photographs and videos, hospital visits for earlier injuries, witness accounts and messages showing the couple struggling to care for the child. The case also raises questions about adoption safeguards and child protection processes.

Jamie Varley, a 37-year-old schoolteacher from Staining, Lancashire, was convicted after an eight-week trial of murdering and sexually abusing his 13-month-old adopted son, Preston Davey, along with multiple child cruelty, assault and indecent-image offences. Preston died from acute upper-airway obstruction after four months of repeated physical and sexual abuse and more than 40 injuries. Varley's partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, was convicted of allowing the child's death, child cruelty and sexual assault. Both men are due to be sentenced on Thursday.

Dylan Phelan, 21, of Leeds, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to six years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to encouraging the suicide of Travis Dyer, a 21-year-old Louisiana man who died during a video call in October 2024. Prosecutors said Phelan and two others exploited Dyer’s mental-health struggles through a Discord server called “Recovery4all,” encouraging self-harm, drug and alcohol purchases, and ultimately suicide. A recording captured Phelan telling Dyer to “pull the trigger” while laughing. Phelan also admitted possessing extreme pornographic material and an indecent image of a child, and received a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

A schoolgirl was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault after two 14-year-old students and a 27-year-old male staff member sustained non-serious stab wounds at Co-op Academy Blackley in Manchester. Students were locked in classrooms while emergency services responded, and the school closed for the rest of the day. Greater Manchester Police said the incident was contained, there was no wider threat, and no other suspects were being sought.

A body was found in the River Don near Mexborough during the search for 11-year-old Mackenzie Swift, who entered the river on Saturday evening and did not resurface. Formal identification had not yet taken place, but police had informed and supported his family. South Yorkshire Police thanked the local community and rescue teams involved in the operation. The case comes amid a wider spate of water-related deaths during hot weather, prompting experts to warn that cold-water shock and dangerous river conditions can affect swimmers even during heatwaves.

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz and Muhammad Amaad will not face a third trial over the 2024 Manchester airport confrontation with PC Zachary Marsden after two juries failed to reach verdicts and prosecutors declined to pursue another case. Amaaz was convicted at the first trial of assaults on three officers, while Amaad was acquitted. The brothers maintained they acted in self-defence, while Marsden said he used reasonable force. The incident prompted allegations of police brutality and racial discrimination, and an Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation remains ongoing. A judge also referred Nigel Farage's comments about the case as potentially contemptuous, but no proceedings followed.

Jemele Rhone, 30, has been charged with murder, firearm possession and possession of criminal property after Shanice Brookes, 30, was fatally shot outside the One Four One bar in Sheffield. Deiryen Dyce, 32, faces charges including assisting an offender, ammunition and drug offences, and possession of criminal property. Dyce appeared at Sheffield magistrates court, while Rhone did not attend after an application by his solicitor; a third man arrested after the shooting has been released and is no longer a suspect. Police described Brookes as an innocent bystander, and the Crown Prosecution Service stressed that the defendants are entitled to a fair trial.

Carol Vorderman has demanded an apology from Reform UK’s Makerfield byelection candidate Robert Kenyon over a sexually abusive social media comment and other posts described as misogynistic and sexist. Danny Kruger defended Kenyon, arguing the comments were inappropriate but not serious enough to justify removing him as a candidate, while Angela Rayner condemned Reform for allowing the alleged abuse to stand. Further investigations identified offensive remarks by Kenyon about abortion, women in sport and women’s abilities. Reform said the comments predated his political career and defended his right to hold personal views, while Wigan Council and Reform were contacted for further response.

Two 15-year-old boys and a 14-year-old boy received youth rehabilitation orders after being convicted of raping two teenage girls in separate attacks in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, and filming or distributing material related to the assaults. The victims and their families condemned the decision not to impose custodial sentences, while Hampshire’s police and crime commissioner said prison would have been appropriate. Judge Nicholas Rowland cited the defendants’ age, developmental and mental-health conditions, rehabilitation prospects and peer pressure. Keir Starmer endorsed an urgent review of the sentences by the attorney general.

Amber heat health alerts are in effect across parts of England over the bank holiday weekend, with yellow alerts elsewhere in England. Temperatures are forecast to reach 33C in southern England and the Midlands on Monday, potentially breaking the UK’s May and spring temperature records. The heat is being linked to a northward shift in the jet stream and broader climate change, while dry conditions may contribute to travel disruption, low river levels and increased health risks. The public is advised to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged direct sunlight and keep homes cool.