Sophie Corcoran

Tony Spencer, a 49-year-old Kirklees sex offender, admitted partially to offences involving four category A and four category B indecent images of children aged four to ten. Police found evidence that he searched Telegram using terms associated with child sexual abuse material and communicated sexually with decoy profiles posing as 14-year-old girls, offering to meet one in Leeds. Following information from a paedophile-hunter group, Spencer was prosecuted at Leeds Crown Court and received a two-year community order, a requirement to complete the Building Choices programme, notification requirements, and a five-year sexual harm prevention order.

Jordan Andrewatha, 33, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to five years in prison followed by an extended five-year licence period after admitting causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He was involved in an assault outside the Little Un pub near Pontefract in which a man was punched, knocked unconscious and then stamped and kicked on the head. The victim suffered a brain bleed, a forehead wound, and significant swelling and bruising. Andrewatha’s brother and the pub landlord had already been sentenced. Although Andrewatha initially denied involvement in a prepared statement, his barrister said he was remorseful and had undertaken work and literacy courses while on remand.

CCTV shows Richard Dyson's final known movements at a Shell garage in Birdwell, Barnsley, on November 17, 2019, before he was shot by his landlord, Christopher Wright. Wright later dismembered Dyson's body and concealed the remains in a concrete-filled barrel inside a trailer; the remains were found in July of the following year. Wright was convicted of murder and several firearms and justice-related offences and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 35 years. His friend Karl Schwable was convicted of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and jailed for three years after admitting that he visited Wright after the killing but did not alert police.

Karl Schwable, 72, was sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice for concealing his knowledge of Christopher Wright’s 2019 murder of lodger Richard Dyson. Schwable said he saw Dyson’s body after Wright shot him but failed to contact police because of misplaced loyalty and a reluctance to “grass” on his longtime friend. Dyson’s dismembered remains were found in a concrete-filled barrel in July of the previous year. Wright was convicted of murder and several firearms offences and received a life sentence with a minimum term of 35 years.

Ben Wilson, 33, was jailed for five years by Leeds Crown Court after being convicted of burglary and three counts of possessing an offensive weapon. The court heard that he gained access to a widowed pensioner's Pontefract home after initially asking her for work and money, then stayed for two months, repeatedly obtained money through excuses, threatened to take her car and stole possessions belonging to her late partner. The victim said the experience damaged her home life, work, sleep and mental health. Judge Robin Mairs said Wilson had shown no remorse or recognition of the victim's impact and had preyed on her kindness.

Matthew Field, 45, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court after attacking or intimidating several men in Huddersfield over three days. He pushed one man, threatened others with a brown Staffordshire bull terrier, used or possessed knives, and made racial and other abusive threats. Field admitted affray, knife possession, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog causing injury, and racially intimidating alarm or distress. The court heard about his previous convictions, homelessness and alcohol use before he was jailed for two years, 17 weeks and 97 days.

The Leeds Crown Court trial heard that Kyrell Fleary-Gayle allegedly arranged to meet rival drug dealer Luke Belbin in Huddersfield to resolve a dispute over drug-dealing territory before being fatally stabbed on January 20. Belbin denies murder, while Cameron Boylan is accused of assisting an offender. In closing submissions, Belbin’s barrister Gillian Batts KC argued that the meeting was arranged rather than an ambush and challenged the credibility of prosecution witnesses Steven Arrand and Timothy Morgan, as well as the prosecution’s interpretation of messages, calls and cell-data evidence. The trial is continuing.

A Yorkshire Live roundup details 22 people appearing in courts across Yorkshire for offences including murder, drug trafficking, serious driving offences, domestic abuse, sexual offences, burglary and shoplifting. Cases include the conviction of Christopher Wright for murdering Richard Dyson, the sentencing of funeral director Robert Bush for offences involving 31 bodies and grieving families, and prison sentences for drug dealers Jahkeem Hunt and Lewis O'Gorman. Other defendants received prison terms, driving bans, community orders or were awaiting trial and sentencing.

Haranand Rai, 35, of Barnsley, was sentenced to six years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court after being convicted of sexually assaulting two women during a night out in February 2023. South Yorkshire Police Detective Constable Courtney Moorby praised the victims for reporting the offences and supporting the investigation, while noting that Rai never admitted responsibility.

Yorkshire courts sentenced numerous offenders during July for crimes including murder, drug trafficking, sexual offences, domestic abuse, robbery, burglary, shoplifting and dangerous driving. Adrian Frost received a life sentence with a minimum term of 27 years for murdering Connor Batty, while other notable sentences included lengthy prison terms for drug dealers, rapists, child-sex offenders and violent domestic abusers. The cases involved police forces and courts across West, North and South Yorkshire.

The second week of the Leeds Crown Court trial over the death of 20-year-old Huddersfield footballer Kyrell Fleary-Gayle concluded with evidence from defendants Luke Belbin and Cameron Boylan. Belbin, accused of stabbing Fleary-Gayle during an alleged dispute over drug-dealing territory, said he acted out of fear after threats to him and his family and believed he had stabbed the victim in the arm rather than fatally. Boylan described finding Belbin badly injured, attempting to persuade him to seek medical treatment and later taking him home, while denying that he assisted him to evade prosecution. A witness identified Belbin in an identification procedure as the person who stabbed Kyrell. Jurors also heard about Belbin’s injuries, the burning of a Nissan vehicle allegedly used after the incident, both defendants’ arrests and Belbin’s defence statement. The trial is expected to continue for approximately two more weeks.

Andrew Crowther, 57, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court to 25 months in prison after admitting breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements, along with possessing nine Category B and more than 60 Category C indecent images of children. Prosecutors said he used aliases, installed and deleted apps, and posed online as a 19-year-old lesbian and another adult woman. The judge said Crowther had made determined efforts to avoid detection and imposed a new indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Jahkeen Hunt and Lewis O’Gorman were jailed after attempting to take drugs into Leeds Festival and sell them. A false-bottom cool box contained 142 MDMA tablets, 144 bags of cocaine, 69 bags of ketamine and MDMA powder, with the drugs estimated to be worth about £13,000. Messages on their phones documented planned sales, prices and meeting points, with Hunt using the term “grafting” to describe his role. O’Gorman received seven years and four months in prison, while Hunt was sentenced to three years and six months.

Footage released by Humberside Police shows funeral director Robert Bush being arrested at his home in a dressing gown while complaining that his treatment was vindictive and comparing himself to Che Guevara. Bush, who owned Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, has admitted 36 fraud charges, 30 charges of preventing lawful and decent burial, and theft from charities. The investigation recovered 30 bodies and personal belongings from the funeral home, including the remains of a baby who had died nearly two years earlier. Bush’s sentencing is continuing at Hull Crown Court after families described the profound impact of his actions.

Body-worn camera footage released by Humberside Police shows officers searching Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull after workers from Evergreen Funeral Directors raised concerns about bodies stored at the premises. Owner Robert Bush has pleaded guilty to 36 fraud charges, 30 charges of preventing lawful and decent burial, and theft from charities. Bereaved families, including Jane Rimmington, described the distress caused by delays and alleged mishandling of loved ones’ remains, while calls grow for tighter regulation of the funeral industry. Bush’s sentencing is continuing.

A jury at the Old Bailey convicted 19-year-old Norwegian footballer Johannes Kongsnes Natland of conspiracy to murder after finding that he travelled to Huddersfield to carry out a killing for an Iran-linked Swedish Foxtrot gang. Natland collected £2,000, two firearms and ammunition at the Briar Court Hotel, communicated with alleged recruiters and controllers, and was arrested during an early-morning raid. He admitted possessing the weapons but denied being an international assassin, while the identity of the alleged controller known as “Agent 47” remains unknown.

Robert Bakes, 43, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court to 38 months in prison after pleading guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour and two offences intended to pervert the course of justice. He assaulted and threatened a woman he met through Facebook Dating, then attempted to persuade her to withdraw support for the prosecution despite bail conditions prohibiting contact. The court heard about the lasting emotional impact on the victim. Bakes expressed remorse, while the judge imposed an indefinite restraining order banning contact with her or attendance at addresses connected to her.

Christopher Wright, 73, was convicted at Sheffield Crown Court of murdering his former lodger Richard Dyson, who disappeared in 2019, and of multiple firearms and justice-obstruction offences. Wright’s accomplice, Karl Schwalbe, was convicted of conspiring to pervert the course of justice. Dyson’s remains were discovered in a concrete-filled barrel at a Barnsley farm in July 2025 after police linked phone records, CCTV, forensic evidence, firearms analysis and financial records to the crime. Prosecutors said Wright killed Dyson and enlisted Schwalbe to help conceal the body, leaving Dyson’s family without answers for six years.

Christopher Wright, a 73-year-old former member of a Spandau Ballet tribute band, was found guilty at Sheffield Crown Court of murdering Richard Dyson, whose remains were discovered in a concrete-filled barrel six years after he disappeared. Wright was also convicted of firearms offences, preventing a lawful burial and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. His associate Karl Schwalbe was convicted of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Wright faces life imprisonment, while both men will be sentenced on August 6.

Luke Belbin, 25, told Leeds Crown Court that he had been dealing drugs in Huddersfield but wanted to leave after Christmas because of the pressures of the work. He said the person he worked for threatened to harm him and his family if he stopped, and acknowledged that he feared they could be seriously injured or killed. During cross-examination, prosecutor Geraldine Kelly KC challenged his account that he did not work for co-defendant Cameron Boylan or Boylan’s brother Connor. Belbin admitted contacting Boylan after Kyrell Fleary-Gayle was stabbed but denied that he was working for him; the trial continues.

Gareth Burns, 24, is accused of causing the death of his 14-year-old passenger Ellis Lockley in a crash on Tarn Lane near Keighley in April 2024. Burns denied charges of causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by driving while unlicensed during a hearing at Bradford Crown Court. A seven-day trial is expected to begin on April 19, 2027, and Burns was granted conditional bail until a further hearing in November.

Malcolm Bellwood, 71, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court to seven years in prison, followed by a seven-year extended licence, after admitting online sexual offences involving two decoys posing as 13-year-old girls. He encouraged sexual activity, discussed sexual matters and sought indecent images, while also breaching an existing Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The court cited his previous convictions and an embedded pattern of offending, finding that he posed a significant risk of serious harm to female children. He will remain subject to an indefinite prevention order and lifelong sex-offender registration.

Paul Goldthorpe, 56, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm after headbutting, repeatedly stamping on and dragging a man outside during a 2022 assault in Elland. The victim suffered a broken nose, six fractured ribs and a punctured lung, requiring four days in hospital and months of recovery. Goldthorpe’s barrister cited his alcoholism, mental-health problems, subsequent sobriety and lack of further offences, but Bradford Crown Court imposed an immediate two-year prison sentence because of the seriousness of the attack, along with a five-year restraining order.

A 59-year-old man, Kenneth Price, received a suspended 21‑month jail sentence for stalking a woman in Calderdale, including disguising himself in a Scream mask, using multiple phone numbers to contact her, and placing trackers on her car. The court heard he ambushed the victim outside her home, causing significant distress. The judge imposed rehabilitation days and a two‑year restraining order, citing the substantial and foreseeable impact on the victim.

A Bradford Crown Court jury viewed CCTV footage of a violent machete attack in which a man suffered a severed hand and partial leg amputation after being ambushed in his vehicle. Prosecutors allege the assault was a planned and possibly retaliatory attack involving five men accused of conspiracy to murder or cause grievous bodily harm, while a former police staff member is accused of accessing and sharing confidential information to aid the group. The trial relates to tensions following an earlier serious assault in March 2025 and is expected to last up to 12 weeks.

Two men, John McDonagh and Robert O'Neill, were jailed for defrauding a 75-year-old man of £14,000 after posing as gardeners and repeatedly pressuring him for money. They performed minimal work, demanded further payments and attempted to escort him to banks to withdraw cash before suspicious NatWest staff alerted police. Both men pleaded guilty, with O'Neill receiving a 15‑month sentence and McDonagh a 12‑month term. They were ordered to pay £2,000 in compensation, and the victim reported feeling foolish and more cautious after the ordeal.

A man was killed after being ambushed in his car by four attackers armed with machetes and a pellet gun in Middlesbrough. Morgan Caldwell, Dominic Hall and Kole James received life sentences for murder and grievous bodily harm, while Daniel Simpson was convicted of manslaughter and jailed for 14 years. Cleveland Police described the attack as extremely violent and praised officers, forensic specialists and prosecutors for securing convictions. Anthony Dickons’ family said the loss has devastated them, and police expressed hope that the sentences provide some measure of justice.

Courts across Yorkshire heard cases involving theft, domestic violence, sexual offences, dangerous driving, assaults and several ongoing or concluded murder trials. Sentences ranged from fines and community orders to lengthy prison terms, including life imprisonment in the killing of Connor Batty. Multiple defendants faced serious allegations such as murder, rape, robbery, and child sexual abuse, while others appeared for repeat shoplifting or drug‑related offences. Several trials remain ongoing, including high-profile murder cases involving Christopher Wright and Scott Silkstone.

Joshua Boocock received a suspended sentence after throwing objects at a police speed van in Halifax and later crashing his Kia Picanto with his dog inside before fleeing the scene. Court proceedings detailed his repeated speeding, attempts to damage the police vehicle, and subsequent false report that his car had been stolen. He admitted dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice, resulting in a suspended 19‑month sentence, rehabilitation requirements, unpaid work, a driving ban, and costs.

A man who fatally struck Daniel Illingworth with a single punch outside a Keighley pub was sentenced to an extended 12 years and six months after a jury convicted him of manslaughter. Joseph Smith was found to have been intoxicated and aggressive before delivering the blow that caused Illingworth’s fatal head injury. The court heard he attempted to claim self‑defence, but CCTV disproved his account. Illingworth’s family described deep emotional trauma and criticised Smith for prolonging their anguish through a trial. The judge cited Smith’s prior similar conviction and rejected his claim of fearing attack. Smith has engaged in rehabilitation programmes while in custody, and his family continues to support him.

A shoplifter, Katie Hudson, received a criminal behaviour order banning her from all One Stop stores in South Yorkshire and a specific Asda in Balby after admitting multiple thefts and an assault on a shop worker. She was jailed for nine months, and authorities warn she could face further prison time if she breaches the order, which runs until July 2029. Police emphasised their commitment to protecting retail staff and urged the public to report any violations.

Testimony from Karl Schwable at Sheffield Crown Court details his denial of visiting Christopher Wright’s home on the night Richard Dyson disappeared and describes limited interactions with Dyson. Schwable says he believed Dyson had simply left after Wright told him he had “gone off.” The prosecution alleges Schwable visited Wright’s home that night and that Wright murdered and concealed Dyson’s body. Schwable explains phone calls on the night in question, denies involvement, and recounts stress following arrests. The trial continues.

Kyle Dearn was sentenced to 11 years in prison, with an additional four-year licence period, after admitting to firing a sawn‑off shotgun at a moving Land Rover in Rotherham. Police identified him through DNA left on shotgun cartridges and matching clothing found at his home. Authorities emphasized the risks posed by gun crime and urged the public to report information to help reduce firearms offences.

A man accused of murdering Shanice Brookes refused to attend a scheduled plea and preparation hearing at Sheffield Crown Court, leading to a postponement until the following week. His co‑accused, Deiryan Dyce, appeared and denied charges of assisting an offender, possession of ammunition and drug offences. Brookes, an innocent bystander who was fatally shot in Sheffield in May, was recently honoured with a funeral at Sheffield Cathedral and a memorial gathering at Ponderosa Park.

Two men, Mohammad Samee and Zaid Khan, were sentenced at Bradford Crown Court for a planned and violent kidnapping involving the abduction, assault and extortion of a male victim. A 17‑year‑old accomplice also received a detention and training order. Judge Ahmed Nadim described the attack as targeted and involving torture‑like violence, issuing restraining orders against all three offenders.

Two brothers, Patrick and Michael Stokes, were ordered to repay nearly £100,000 gained through a large-scale fraudulent vehicle advertising scheme uncovered in Yorkshire. The investigation identified extensive use of money mules and more than 300 victims who collectively lost hundreds of thousands of pounds. The South Yorkshire Police Asset Recovery Team secured Proceeds of Crime Orders, with some recovered funds designated for victim compensation. The pair had previously been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison in 2025.

Huddersfield teenager Harvey Walker has been selected for England’s basketball team for a second consecutive year, following last year’s under‑14 competition in Greece. Now 15 and playing for Manchester Magic’s under‑15 squad, he will travel to Rome for the Junior NBA tournament, with additional competitions in Portugal pending team selection. His father highlights his development through various clubs, support from Honley High School and participation in the Basketball England Aspire Programme. Plans are being considered for him to join a basketball academy such as Myerscough in Preston to further his training and academic balance.

Two teenagers at HMP Wetherby used improvised weapons made from toothbrushes to launch repeated attacks on a fellow inmate, including one in the visiting room. Prosecutors described the violence as relentless and frenzied, with officers struggling to intervene. Mitigation highlighted the attackers’ difficult backgrounds, drug use, and instability within the prison. The judge noted concerns over conditions at Wetherby, while HMP Doncaster was described as more stable. Sentences ranged from a suspended term for one offender to four years’ imprisonment for the primary attacker.

Residents in Huddersfield express frustration and apathy toward national politics two years after the last UK General Election. Keir Starmer’s resignation, ongoing political infighting, and unfulfilled government promises fuel widespread disillusionment, with some calling for new leadership and others doubting the value of another election. Rising support for Reform contrasts with criticism of Labour, while concerns about poverty, food insecurity, and political instability dominate local sentiment.

Former ITV Calendar presenter and Huddersfield Town fan John Shires has died at age 71 following a period of illness. Colleagues Gaynor Barnes and Christine Talbot led tributes, describing him as a humorous, kind and iconic figure who spent more than three decades on screen. Fans and former coworkers shared memories of his generosity and warmth, highlighting his love of sport and longtime presence in regional broadcasting.

A series of Yorkshire criminals were jailed after making significant mistakes that led to their arrests, including leaving forensic evidence, discussing crimes on personal phones, being caught on CCTV, or dealing with undercover officers. Cases covered offences ranging from drug dealing and burglary to violent assaults and child sexual offences, with sentences varying from just over two years to more than fourteen years, depending on severity and criminal history.

Courts across Yorkshire sentenced multiple offenders for crimes including dangerous driving, robbery, drug offences and sexual assault. Cases ranged from a provisional licence holder crashing an unregistered motorbike to a pair posing as police officers during a jewellery store robbery, as well as drug-related offences and a violent kidnapping and torture incident. Sentences included community orders, driving bans, prison terms and young offenders’ detention, reflecting the severity of each offence.

A former Halifax police officer, Michael Meade, denied charges at Bradford Crown Court of conspiring to pervert the course of justice, accessing computer material without authorisation and stealing £500 from co-defendant Kazim Mirza. Mirza also denied all charges, including possession of a prohibited weapon. Judge Sophie McKone scheduled a four-day trial for April 2028, with a case management hearing set two weeks earlier. Both defendants were granted bail with conditions preventing contact with each other or prosecution witnesses following an investigation by the West Yorkshire Police Counter Corruption Unit.

Courts across Yorkshire issued prison sentences in June for offenders involved in crimes including murder, manslaughter, sexual abuse, violent assaults, fraud, drug trafficking, and fatal driving incidents. Several high-profile cases included the manslaughter of Luke Thompson, extensive child exploitation networks, a fatal speeding crash, and the murder of a child killer inside HMP Wakefield. Offenders received sentences ranging from just over two years to life imprisonment, with multiple organised crime and abuse cases involving additional suspects still at large or awaiting sentencing.

Conor Callaghan was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to 40 months in prison and given a driving ban for stealing a mini JCB in 2025 and for dangerous driving during a police pursuit in May 2026. Already disqualified from driving and carrying heroin and cocaine at the time of arrest, he admitted multiple offences including theft and intent to supply drugs. The court heard details of his homelessness, drug debt, and mental health difficulties before issuing the sentence.

Two men, Jamie Beardshaw and John Smith, were sentenced at Bradford Crown Court for a robbery in which they impersonated police officers to handcuff staff at a Bradford jewellery store before stealing more than 70 gold rings. Beardshaw, identified as the lead offender, received a sentence of ten years and eight months, while Smith was jailed for four years. The court heard that Beardshaw lacked police identification, enabling staff to activate a panic alarm as the gang attempted to flee. Defence arguments cited substance use, late involvement, and psychological vulnerabilities, but the judge concluded the robbery was well planned and that both men played active roles.