Samuel Port

Ian Moffat, 63, of York, was sentenced at York Crown Court to 22 years and eight months in prison after being convicted of six counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault against a girl, following a trial in July 2026. He had previously pleaded guilty to possessing 149 indecent images of children across Categories A, B and C. North Yorkshire Police began investigating in December 2023, and officers found the images on his computer after his arrest. Moffat will remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order. Detective Constable James Stewart praised the victim’s courage and urged other survivors to report abuse.

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for help identifying a man captured on CCTV after reports that another man was subjected to racial abuse and had his car attacked while driving along Ripon Road in Harrogate. Information can be provided to police via 101 or online using reference 12260140563.

A crash at the junction of Ambler’s Lane and Chapman’s Lane in Shipton-by-Beningbrough caused the A19 to close in both directions, with very slow traffic reported between Chapman’s Lane and East Lane. Yorkshire Ambulance Service sent two ambulances and a team leader after receiving an emergency call at 6:54am; two patients were taken to hospital.

The Malthouse pub in Rishworth, Calderdale, is asking the public to help identify two men captured on CCTV allegedly breaking into a locked outdoor storage shed at about 4am and stealing containers of used cooking oil. West Yorkshire Police confirmed the burglary and requested information through its 101 service, citing crime reference 13260460911.

Two Harrogate brothers, aged 16 and 11 at the time, were injured when a steam-room door shattered at the Green Nature Diamond Hotel in Marmaris during a 2022 Jet2Holidays package holiday. The boys suffered cuts to their feet, legs and arms, while their father spent 10 months pursuing CCTV footage of the incident. After the footage showed the glass shattering onto the children, Jet2Holidays agreed to a combined £7,000 out-of-court settlement and apologised. The family’s solicitor criticised the tour operator and hotel for their handling of the incident and said the case highlighted their responsibility to ensure customer safety.

A seriously unwell Alsatian was seized by West Yorkshire Police from a Huddersfield home on August 11 after residents raised concerns about alleged mistreatment and neglect, including claims that the dog had been left in a car during a heatwave. The dog was subsequently put to sleep. Aamad Ahmad, 21, was charged with failing to prevent unnecessary suffering to an animal and bailed with conditions prohibiting him from possessing or caring for animals. He is due to appear at Kirklees Magistrates Court on September 2.

Harry Mannion was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court for the manslaughter of 62-year-old Tony Powles, who died in hospital nearly two weeks after Mannion punched him during a row at the Red Lion pub in Wakefield on October 9, 2025. Mannion was convicted in June. Powles’s family described his death as a permanent nightmare and mourned the loss of a father, grandfather, brother and uncle. Detective Chief Inspector Eleanor Buchanan said the case demonstrated how a single violent punch can result in death and expressed hope that the sentence would bring some comfort to the family.

A solar eclipse was visible across Yorkshire, including Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, Sheffield and York, beginning at 6:12pm, peaking at 7:09pm with 90.7% of the sun covered, and ending at 8:03pm. The live coverage features photographs from Castle Hill and reader submissions, along with safety advice for viewing and photographing the eclipse. A Perseid meteor shower was expected later that night, peaking between 1:00am and 5:30am. West Yorkshire Police asked residents not to call 999 simply to report the eclipse.

Sixteen-year-old Yorkshire footballer Ruben Hepworth has died following what was reported as a tragic accident. Bridlington Rangers JFC, where he played from the beginning of his football journey, issued condolences to his family and friends, while supporters and Bridlington Soccer School paid tribute to him and commemorated his life.

The article lists 12 locations across Bradford, Huddersfield, Sheffield and York for viewing a solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, followed by the Perseid meteor shower overnight. It provides eclipse timings, including the 7:09 p.m. peak with 90.7% solar coverage, and identifies organised public events at the University of York and Beetle Bank Farm.

North Yorkshire Police have launched a CCTV appeal to identify a woman allegedly involved in an assault near Knaresborough Road in Harrogate on June 28, 2026. Police say she struck another person on the shoulder and threw a metal drinks bottle at them. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 12260118491.

The family of Bradford woman Maureen Wainwright, who died aged 84 after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, is seeking former Field Packaging workers who can provide evidence about possible asbestos exposure at the company’s Hollingwood Lane factories. Wainwright worked there from 1958 until the early 1990s, and her family says there was no other obvious source of exposure. Her lawyers at Slater and Gordon are particularly interested in information about 1970s boiler, pipework, demolition and maintenance projects, while a 2012 survey confirmed asbestos had been present at the site. Witness evidence could help establish how workers were exposed and whether responsibility can be determined.

South Yorkshire Police uncovered a warehouse cannabis farm in Braithwaite, Doncaster, containing 1,790 plants with an estimated street value of £1.7 million. Three people were arrested, including a 23-year-old man who was charged with producing cannabis and appeared at Barnsley Magistrates' Court. A 41-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were bailed pending further inquiries. Police also seized weapons and are investigating possible firearms offences, describing the industrial-scale operation as linked to an organized crime group.

John Godfrey, 45, of Castleford, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to 12 years in prison after admitting multiple sexual offences against two girls who were under 13, along with offences involving indecent images of children, child sexual exploitation and extreme pornography. The offences occurred in the Wakefield district during the 2010s and up to 2022. He will also serve four years and six months on extended licence, is subject to a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must remain on the sex offenders register for life. Detective Constable Khi Smith praised the victims’ courage and the support provided by their families.

Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield are jointly launching lane rental schemes on busy roads, charging utilities and other works promoters up to £2,500 per day for operating during peak periods. The councils received Department for Transport approval and will use a consistent approach to encourage off-peak scheduling, better coordination and more efficient roadworks. The scheme is intended to reduce congestion, delays and carbon emissions while protecting key bus routes and improving public transport reliability.

The Strid, a narrow and deceptively calm section of the River Wharfe on the Bolton Abbey estate, has claimed dozens of lives over centuries. Jagged rocks, hidden depth, strong undercurrents, cold water and air bubbles that reduce buoyancy make escape extremely difficult, despite the river appearing easy to jump. Recent victims include honeymooners Barry and Lynn Collett in 1998 and eight-year-old Aaron Page in 2010. Local visitors and Bolton Abbey officials urge people to avoid the river and heed warning signs.

Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales is portrayed as a thriving historic town with cobbled streets, stone cottages, independent shops, traditional pubs and scenic access to the River Wharfe and Bolton Abbey. Visitors and residents value its traditional appearance, friendly community and family-run businesses, while the Channel 5 series All Creatures Great and Small has boosted tourism. Locals acknowledge tensions between residents and tourists but say community groups and businesses help preserve the town’s character year-round.

A photo gallery showcases 31 homes on Fulwith Mill Lane near Pannal in Harrogate, where properties reportedly sell for an average of £1.95 million. The secluded half-mile lane features gated mansions, security systems, swimming pools, tennis courts and landscaped grounds, alongside views of the Crimple Valley Viaduct and surrounding countryside.

Nine West Yorkshire shops were closed for at least three months under court orders after enforcement action over alleged sales of illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes, including sales to children. West Yorkshire Police, Wakefield Council and Trading Standards said the businesses were linked to wider criminal supply chains, tax and duty avoidance, and potential health risks from untested products. Sergeant Adrian Simpson said proceeds from the trade can fund serious and organised crime.

West Yorkshire Police released bodycam footage showing officers breaking into a home on Muirhead Drive in Holmewood, Bradford, during a dawn drugs raid. A 45-year-old man and 42-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the supply of class A drugs. Officers reportedly seized about £4,000 in cash, crack cocaine, a knife, several mobile phones and a stolen motorcycle. Sergeant Charlie Smallwood said the operation reflected efforts to disrupt drug supply and urged the public to provide information about suspected offences.

A 44-year-old man has been charged with possessing a loaded .22 air rifle in a public place after a shot was fired outside York Mosque and Islamic Centre on Bull Lane. North Yorkshire Police said there was no evidence the incident was ideological, hate-related or specifically targeted at the Muslim community, and no identified intention to injure or distress anyone. The man was bailed with conditions, including staying away from the mosque, and is due to appear at York Magistrates’ Court on September 21. The mosque, which temporarily closed after the shooting, has since reopened while police maintain high-visibility patrols.

Fulwith Mill Lane near Harrogate has homes selling for an average of about £1.95 million, according to Rightmove. Residents describe the lane’s proximity to Harrogate, countryside setting and large properties, but say it has become less attainable for younger families. They also criticize the rapid turnover of residents and the demolition and replacement of distinctive older homes with larger developments, which they believe is eroding the street’s character.

Two grass fires broke out near Penith Road in Sheffield and Elm Wood Farm in Swallownest, close to Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park. South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue confirmed that crews were attending both incidents, while footage showed smoke rising from the wildfire near Beighton.

A 26-year-old woman died at the scene of a collision on the A170 between Wrelton and Pickering on July 29, 2026. She was driving a white Volkswagen Polo when it collided with a black Audi A4 carrying five occupants, all of whom were taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening. North Yorkshire Police are investigating and appealing for witnesses, dashcam footage and CCTV recordings.

West Yorkshire Police are seeking information about 20 people captured on CCTV in connection with alleged offences across Kirklees, Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield. The individuals may be suspects or witnesses in cases involving shop theft, assault, public order offences, burglary and harassment. Members of the public are advised not to approach anyone they recognise and instead contact Crimestoppers, quoting the relevant police reference number.

Mobile speed cameras are scheduled across Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Leeds in West Yorkshire during the week beginning 27 July 2026. The cameras target roads identified as collision-prone and enforce speed limits ranging from 30 to 50 mph, although their locations may change without warning.

A person was taken to hospital after an incident at The White Horse pub in Ledston, near Castleford, on July 26, 2026. Yorkshire Ambulance Service sent both a road ambulance and an air ambulance, but the patient was transported to hospital by road ambulance. No further details about the incident or the patient were provided.

South Yorkshire Police released body-camera footage of a woman in Doncaster denying drink-driving after recording 90 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, nearly three times the legal limit. Officers stopped five suspected drink-drivers during an overnight operation; all tested positive, four were reportedly driving unsafely, and one had a child in the vehicle and was charged with drink-driving and child neglect. All five are due to appear in court, while Chief Inspector Gareth Hyde warned that drink- or drug-driving endangers passengers, pedestrians and other road users.

West Yorkshire Police are investigating a video circulating online that appears to show a child being assaulted in Birstall. Police said the child and family are being supported, while Detective Inspector Will Denton urged the public not to speculate about those involved and to allow investigators to establish the facts and pursue justice.

South Yorkshire Police are appealing for information about Mary, a 67-year-old Sheffield woman reported missing on July 24, 2026. Officers believe she was last seen on July 8 on South View Road. She is described as Asian, 5ft 4ins tall, with very long grey hair, and is known to frequent the Ecclesall Road area. Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting incident number 247 of July 24, 2026.

West Yorkshire Police are seeking a motorcyclist in connection with a reported exposure incident on Wilson Road in Wyke, Bradford, on July 12. CCTV images show the man wearing a helmet, and investigators hope witnesses can identify him from his build, clothing or motorcycle. Information can be provided to Bradford Adult Safeguarding or via 101 using crime reference 13260396146.

An elderly man in his 80s died at the scene after falling from a green Trek electric bicycle on Lock Lane near the Aire and Calder Navigation in Altofts, Wakefield, on July 24. West Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information is asked to contact the Roads Policing Unit via 101, quoting log 667 of July 24.

South Yorkshire Police warned that flying drones over Tramlines Festival sites in Hillsborough Park or Sheffield city centre is illegal and could lead to drone seizure and prosecution. Officers advised festival attendees to report any drone activity to police or event staff as the festival prepares to host major music headliners.

Police are seeking a bare‑chested man after an outraging public decency incident at The Village play park in Strensall, York. The offence occurred on June 28, and North Yorkshire Police released an image of the man, appealing for information and providing contact details for both police and Crimestoppers.

Police are seeking two women after a purse containing cash and bank cards was stolen from a shop on Middlewood Road in Sheffield. CCTV images have been released as officers investigate the theft and pursue further enquiries. Authorities described the women and urged the public to provide information by contacting police and referencing the incident number.

North Yorkshire Police are seeking 24‑year‑old Guy Elms for breaching a restraining order and believe he may be in Harrogate, Ripon or Leeds. Authorities released his physical description and urged the public to report sightings by calling 101 or 999 in emergencies, with anonymous tips accepted via Crimestoppers.

A murder investigation has begun after Mohammed Hasan died from a gunshot wound sustained in Bradford. Police continue searching for suspect Luqman Khan, believed to have travelled to Suffolk, while nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, including one man charged with attempted murder. Hasan’s family issued a tribute urging the community to support the investigation. Detectives appealed for further information to help secure justice.

IKEA’s Sheffield store was evacuated and closed after a safety concern. All customers and staff exited safely, and the company is investigating. The store will remain closed until further notice, with no additional details provided.

Two boys aged 14 and 15 were seriously injured in a collision between a ZT 125 motorbike and a BMW on Carlton Road in Barnsley. Emergency services closed the roundabout temporarily, and the boys were taken to hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life‑threatening. The BMW driver was assessed at the scene and is assisting West Yorkshire Police, who are appealing for witnesses and dashcam or CCTV footage to support their investigation.

A 23-year-old Huddersfield graduate, Gabrielle Joyce, has raised nearly £5,000 in two days through a GoFundMe campaign to cover the £32,000 tuition costs for her MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy at the University of Oxford after missing out on funding. Raised in a low-income single-parent household, she describes overcoming personal pride to seek public support. Donations have come largely from friends, family and working-class supporters, with one former colleague contributing £1,000. Joyce has previously worked with Save the Children, MP Kate Dearden and completed a placement at NATO Headquarters.

A body was discovered in a parked car off Cemetery Road in Bradford during 29C heat, prompting an investigation by West Yorkshire Police, who state the cause of death remains unexplained and enquiries are in the early stages.

A pedestrian was struck by a bus in Sheffield city centre at Fitzalan Square and transported to Northern General Hospital after emergency services responded with multiple ambulance resources and an air ambulance. High Street and Commercial Street were closed by police while crews attended the scene.

A police community support officer in Sherburn‑in‑Elmet seized an e‑scooter from a man carrying a young child as a passenger, informing him the activity was illegal. A supervising sergeant reiterated that privately owned e‑scooters cannot legally be used on public roads, pavements or public spaces and said officers will continue enforcement to protect community safety.

A man was seriously injured after falling from a height at Kester Hole Waterfall in Halifax and was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary. Emergency responders, including an ambulance, air ambulance and Mountain Rescue Team, were deployed following a call received early afternoon.

A Yorkshire mother completed a 62‑mile Peak District Ultra Challenge to raise funds for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund after her newborn daughter underwent life‑saving open‑heart surgery at five days old and later required additional treatment. She credits the NHS surgical team and support charities, including the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund and The Sick Children’s Trust, for helping her family through a month‑long hospital stay and ongoing monitoring. Her fundraising efforts contribute to wider support for families dealing with congenital heart disease, as part of an event that collectively raised more than £800,000.

Police issued an urgent appeal to locate 67-year-old Judith Bell from Bingley, last seen on Petergate in York after travelling to the city. She is described as slim, 5ft 6in tall, with grey shoulder-length hair and may be wearing a pink 'Happy Campers' shirt and blue denim trousers. Authorities urge the public to call 999 with sightings or 101 with information, quoting reference 12260128848.

A pedestrian was struck by a bus in Sheffield city centre, prompting road closures and a major emergency response. Ambulance crews, including an air ambulance, responded to the collision on Fitzalan Square, and the patient was transported to Northern General Hospital. Emergency services deployed multiple resources, and High Street and Commercial Street were closed following the incident.

Foot patrols were carried out by South Yorkshire Police in Herdings Park, the Callow tower block and Spotswood as part of a week-long effort to address anti-social behaviour. Officers aimed to identify offences and reassure affected residents. Chief Inspector John Mallows highlighted ongoing collaboration with communities and partners, describing measures such as targeted patrols, closing nuisance properties and imposing behaviour-control orders.

A Grade II-listed Barnsley pub and former medieval watermill dating to 1150 has been placed for auction with a guide price of £300,000. Restored in the 1980s and retaining original architectural features, the property includes a large site with parking and a separate stone-built house. Currently leased to a tenant, it offers immediate returns and potential for further development, with auction bidding scheduled to open on July 27.

A road traffic collision has closed High Street and Commercial Street in Sheffield city centre, prompting police, ambulance crews and an air ambulance to respond. Authorities advised the public to avoid the area as emergency services manage the scene, while fire crews continue work at a separate incident at Malton and Norton District Hospital. No information on injuries has yet been confirmed.

A man in his 20s was seriously injured in an early‑morning assault on Daveygate in York, suffering head and facial injuries and requiring hospital treatment. North Yorkshire Police released a CCTV image of a man they want to identify and urged the public to contact them with information using the provided crime reference number.

A road traffic collision closed Sheffield Parkway in both directions between the Prince of Wales roundabout and Derek Dooley Way, prompting police to urge drivers to avoid the area. Emergency services, including Yorkshire Air Ambulance, were deployed to the scene, with authorities promising updates once the road reopens.

Raymond Utley was sentenced to 18 years and 11 months for raping and abusing a 14-year-old girl and committing further sexual offences against two other victims. The investigation by South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Police was supported by the testimony of his first victim, who reported the decades-old crimes. Authorities highlighted the victim’s long-term trauma and Utley’s use of alcohol and recorded abuse to exert control.

Sheffield City Council disputed online speculation about the cause of the Moor Market’s sudden closure, stating investigations have not identified a source of the pest infestation that prompted shutdown and deep cleaning on June 26. The council emphasised that no traders, staff or maintenance issues are to blame and said additional preventative measures are being implemented. Traders expressed frustration over lost business and urged the public to keep the situation in perspective as the market remains closed pending safety assurances.

Police issued a CCTV appeal after a man and woman were assaulted on West Street in Sheffield, releasing images of a suspect described as a white male in his 20s wearing a black T-shirt with “pretty boy” printed on it. Officers are seeking public assistance in identifying him and asked anyone with information to contact them referencing case 14/97800/26.

Police are seeking Noel Abdullah, wanted for immigration offences and breaching bail conditions, with searches focused in Leeds, York, and areas of London including Dartford. Authorities describe him and urge the public to report sightings via emergency or non‑emergency lines, providing a reference number for information.

Police are searching for a man who allegedly exposed himself twice near Bilton Viaduct and Nidd Gorge in Knaresborough on July 4. Officers believe the same individual is responsible for both incidents and have issued a description while appealing for witnesses to come forward with information referencing case number 12260125733.

A car crashed into a Bradford shop on Heaton Road and was deliberately set on fire in the early hours of July 6. Fire crews extinguished the blaze after it spread to the building, which became heavily smoke-logged. Police and fire investigators confirmed the incident as arson, and enquiries into the attack are ongoing. No injuries were reported.

Police opened a murder investigation after a woman was found dead inside a house following a fire in Yew Tree Walk, Knottingley. Officers responded to reports of people trapped and discovered the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene. A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody as the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team leads inquiries. Authorities appealed for information via 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

A newborn boy died after his mother was sent home from a Sheffield maternity unit despite signs he was in an oblique position, a condition that an ultrasound could have confirmed and likely prevented his death. An inquest found that the junior doctor who examined the mother did not appreciate the significance of the baby’s position, resulting in her discharge and a traumatic breech birth at home that caused a fatal brain injury. The coroner concluded the death was preventable and raised concerns about the absence of national guidance on managing oblique fetal positions, indicating she would alert relevant medical bodies. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals admitted the mother should have been kept in for monitoring and apologised, while the family’s solicitor highlighted broader systemic failings in UK maternity services identified in recent national reviews.

A fundraiser has named 23-year-old Imath Uddin Choudhury as the second person to die following a 100ft crash in Bradford, occurring on June 22 when an Audi A3 left the road in Baildon. Choudhury died after more than a week in hospital, while a 20-year-old man died at the scene. The 24-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and another passenger sustained minor injuries. The Grains of Hope Foundation launched a JustGiving campaign in Choudhury’s memory, surpassing its initial target and dedicating proceeds to charitable projects in The Gambia and Pakistan.

West Yorkshire Police are using an unmarked lorry as part of Operation Tramline to identify dangerous driving on local motorways, allowing officers to spot offences such as mobile phone use and failure to wear seatbelts. Bodyworn video captures violations before other police units intervene. Thirty offences have been recorded so far, and the initiative will continue through the summer in collaboration with National Highways to reduce road risks and prevent serious injuries or fatalities.

Police are appealing for information on a 42-year-old man from Bingley who has been missing since May 31 after setting out with two backpacks. Known for travelling alone in remote areas including Snowdonia and the Yorkshire Dales, his prolonged disappearance has raised serious welfare concerns. West Yorkshire Police are conducting enquiries and urging the public to report any sightings using log reference 0353 of June 29.

Police issued a CCTV appeal after a moped rider in Golcar was threatened with an axe and forced to abandon his Lexmoto Zoom, which the suspect stole. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on June 6, and authorities are asking the public to identify the man pictured or provide information via West Yorkshire Police or Crimestoppers.

South Yorkshire Police released images of seven individuals they want to identify following an attack outside a bar in Mexborough in which two men were seriously injured, one suffering a stabbing. Investigators request public assistance and provide an incident reference number for information.