Rebecca Sherdley

A man who raped and attempted to murder a homeless former student in Loughborough was sentenced to 34 years in prison. Macauley Worden attacked the woman on a canal towpath, attempted to strangle her and pushed her into the water before she escaped. He was convicted of multiple offences including rape, attempted murder and robbery. The judge cited his intent to kill to avoid identification, while police highlighted the victim’s courage throughout the investigation. Worden will remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely and is subject to extended licence and restraining orders.

An 84-year-old motorcyclist, Douglas Burton, died in a single-vehicle crash on Charley Road in Shepshed. His family paid tribute to him as a devoted husband, father and grandfather with a lifelong passion for motorcycling. Police appealed for information and dashcam footage as part of their investigation.

Authorities plan to buy and demolish all 26 homes on Tapton Terrace in Chesterfield after the death of an 83‑year‑old woman during flooding from Storm Babet. An inquest found the street remains highly vulnerable due to its proximity to the River Rother, prompting the council and Environment Agency to conclude that removal of the homes is the only long‑term way to protect residents. Emergency responders had been unable to reach the woman safely during the flood, and the coroner warned the area continues to pose a risk to elderly and vulnerable residents.

A critical incident was declared at Nottingham’s main hospitals due to severe pressure on emergency services during sustained hot weather. High patient volumes, long A&E waits, and increased cases of heat-related illness contributed to the strain, alongside delays in discharging patients who were medically fit to leave. The trust urged the public to use emergency services only when necessary and confirmed that scheduled care would continue as planned.