Stephanie Wareham

Prison officer Jahvine Kwamba was sentenced to eight months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of misconduct in public office over an inappropriate relationship with inmate Roberts Sokolovs. She exchanged thousands of Snapchat messages and received more than £6,000 through payments linked to him while he was held at HMP Fosse Way and an immigration removal centre. Sokolovs’s mother, Zita Sokolova, received a suspended four-month sentence, while his sister, Venera Sokolova, was given a community order. The judge said the defendants’ actions undermined prison discipline and the criminal justice system, while acknowledging Kwamba’s vulnerability and remorse.

Former boxer Joshua Moore was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison for manslaughter after punching 62-year-old James McKeown in a Leicestershire park. McKeown fell and suffered a fatal head injury. Moore, who had previous convictions for violence, admitted manslaughter and later expressed remorse. The court heard that he initially placed McKeown in the recovery position before leaving and returning to confess. McKeown’s partner said his death had devastated their family.

Former boxer Joshua Moore was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court to five years and nine months in prison for the manslaughter of 62-year-old James McKeown in Beaumont Park, Leicestershire. Moore punched McKeown after approaching him while riding a quad bike, causing him to fall and suffer fatal head injuries. Although Moore claimed self-defence and initially placed McKeown in the recovery position, he left the scene and failed to contact emergency services. The judge cited Moore’s prior convictions, the presence of children and his abandonment of the unconscious victim as aggravating factors, while recognizing his early guilty plea and genuine remorse. McKeown’s partner said the killing had permanently shattered the family.

Former Staffordshire Police chief constable Christopher Noble resigned shortly before a misconduct hearing, but a panel later found the allegations against him proven and concluded he would have been dismissed. The specific misconduct details remain subject to reporting restrictions, and Noble will be placed on a barred list preventing future employment in policing and other law-enforcement bodies. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is continuing to investigate other allegations involving Noble both inside and outside his policing duties and is calling for an overhaul of the senior police officer selection process.

A misconduct panel found allegations against former Staffordshire Police chief constable Christopher Noble proven and classified his breaches of professional standards as gross misconduct. Noble resigned immediately before the hearing, meaning he avoided formal dismissal, but he will be placed on the barred list and prevented from working in policing or other law-enforcement bodies. The Independent Office for Police Conduct said further allegations remain under investigation and backed reforms to chief-officer recruitment, leadership training and the identification of suitable candidates.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is under investigation for corporate manslaughter over its treatment of Valdo Calocane, who was under its care from 2020 to 2022 before being discharged after missing appointments. Calocane later killed Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates in Nottingham in June 2023 and attempted to murder three others. Northumbria Police is investigating on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police, while the trust has pledged full cooperation. Barnaby’s mother, Emma Webber, welcomed the probe as a significant step toward accountability in public services.

Three men have been charged with burglaries linked to an incident in which homeowner used a legally held firearm, resulting in the death of an intruder at a Derbyshire property. The Crown Prosecution Service determined the homeowner will not face charges, while the three suspects have been released on bail pending a court appearance.

A Derbyshire homeowner in his 50s will face no further action after fatally shooting 19-year-old Marcus Smith during a burglary at a remote property in Whaley Bridge on 1 May 2024. The homeowner had been arrested on suspicion of murder after using a legally held firearm, but the Crown Prosecution Service concluded that he was entitled to defend himself. Three other men will face proceedings over the burglary and an earlier burglary at the same property.

A teenager died after being stabbed at a property on Adnitt Road in Northampton, prompting Northamptonshire Police to open a fast-moving murder investigation. Multiple scenes, including Adnitt Road and Dallington Park, remain cordoned off as officers seek witnesses and footage from the surrounding area. Detective Chief Inspector Ryan Catling urged anyone who saw suspicious activity or has CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage to come forward. Police patrols have been increased to reassure the community, and information can be provided via Northamptonshire Police or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Northamptonshire Police launched a murder investigation after a teenage boy was fatally stabbed at a property on Adnitt Road in Northampton. Emergency responders were unable to save him. Police cordons remain in place at the address and in Dallington Park, and authorities are appealing for witnesses along with CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage from the surrounding area. Anyone with information is urged to contact police or Crimestoppers anonymously.

A 12‑year‑old girl was injured by falling glass during a Christmas lights event at Emma Bridgewater’s Stoke‑on‑Trent factory after an unsecured artificial snow machine fell from a window. A Health and Safety Executive investigation found the company failed to assess risks and properly secure the equipment. Emma Bridgewater Limited admitted safety breaches and was fined £266,666 plus additional costs at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court. The HSE said the incident was avoidable with proper planning, and the company expressed regret and acceptance of the penalty.

A 33-year-old man, Joshua Moore, pleaded guilty to manslaughter after fatally punching 62-year-old James McKeown in Beaumont Leys Park, Leicester. McKeown died after falling and striking his head following the unprovoked attack. Moore left the scene without calling for help and later turned himself in. Investigators criticised his actions and noted he spent the time arranging personal matters instead of seeking emergency assistance. Sentencing was adjourned until July 31, and police highlighted the devastating impact on McKeown’s family and the community’s support during the investigation.

A 33-year-old man, Joshua Moore, admitted to manslaughter after fatally punching 62-year-old James McKeown in Beaumont Leys Park in Leicester, causing him to fall and suffer a fatal head injury. Moore left the scene without calling emergency services, later reporting himself to police. A judge at Leicester Crown Court accepted the plea and delayed sentencing, while police condemned the unprovoked attack and noted the impact on the victim’s family.

A rare 1938 first edition, second impression of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit was discovered among routine donations at an Oxfam shop in Birmingham and sold at auction for £38,400, with proceeds supporting the charity’s global work. Staff recognised its significance due to its limited print run and Tolkien’s colour illustrations. Oxfam representatives described the find as exciting and highlighted its impact on fundraising. The article also notes a previous valuable donation, a Paul McCartney–signed book that raised £950 for the charity.

Police identified Isaac Clare-Watts as the man found dead at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Derbyshire, prompting a murder investigation and the arrest of a 41-year-old suspect. Detectives appealed for witnesses and video footage from the summer solstice event held between 19 and 23 June to help determine the circumstances of the killing. Local authorities and rescue teams offered condolences, while a major incident portal was established for information sharing.

Police identified Isaac Clare-Watts as the man found dead at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in the Peak District following a summer solstice event. A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. Authorities urged attendees and anyone with relevant footage from 19–23 June to come forward as investigators work to clarify the circumstances of the killing.

Police launched a murder investigation after a 26-year-old man was found dead at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in the Peak District following a summer solstice event. Derbyshire Police confirmed the death and appealed for attendees between 19 and 23 June to provide information or video footage to help determine the circumstances.

Police launched a murder investigation after a 26-year-old man was found dead at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in the Peak District following summer solstice gatherings. Detectives urged anyone present between 19 and 23 June, especially those with video footage, to come forward to help establish the circumstances of the death. The victim has not been formally identified, but his family has been notified and is receiving support. Authorities emphasised the importance of witnesses in reconstructing events at the Bronze Age site.

A recovery‑truck driver, Mohammed Azim, was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, 19‑year‑old Lily Whitehouse, by crushing her against a lamp post with his Mercedes Sprinter in Oldbury. Prosecutors said he used the truck as a weapon, supported by CCTV footage. Azim initially lied to emergency services before admitting involvement. Whitehouse died from severe chest injuries, and Azim is due for sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Prosecutors allege that Mohammed Azim used his flatbed truck to pin and kill 19-year-old Lily Whitehouse during an argument in Oldbury. Testifying at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Azim denied murder, claiming he accidentally struck her and initially lied about a hit-and-run because he panicked. The prosecution argued he repeatedly fabricated stories to police, paramedics, and medical staff to avoid blame. Azim maintained he was disoriented and traumatized at the time. The trial is ongoing.

Police charged Harinder Kaur with murder and perverting the course of justice after officers discovered the body of a man in the back of a Ford Transit van in a Leicester car park. The vehicle, registered to a London address, led investigators to arrest Kaur in Hounslow. The victim, believed to be in his 30s, has not yet been identified. Authorities are seeking information or footage of the van traveling from London to Leicester as part of the ongoing investigation.

A court hearing for Omar Majed, charged with communicating false information after an alleged bomb hoax that led to the evacuation of a Peter Kay show in Birmingham, was halted when he began undressing during a video‑link appearance and was removed by prison staff. The judge ordered psychiatric assessments before further proceedings, with a case management hearing set for July and a potential trial in November. Police had found no suspicious items at the venue during the incident.

A 19-year-old man, Omar Majed, appearing via video link at Birmingham Crown Court on charges of communicating false information to police over an alleged bomb hoax at a Peter Kay show, was removed from the hearing after undressing. The court postponed his arraignment pending psychiatric reports and set future hearing and provisional trial dates. The May 1 comedy show at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena was evacuated after a suspicious bag was reported, though police later confirmed nothing suspicious was found. The affected performance was part of Peter Kay’s charity-focused national tour.

Helen Green received more than £25,000 in Personal Independence Payment after claiming she was housebound, but a Department for Work and Pensions investigation found she had been running 10k races and regularly attending gym classes. She pleaded guilty to failing to report a change in circumstances and was jailed for seven months at Shrewsbury Crown Court. Prosecutors and government officials criticised her actions as fraudulent and unfair to taxpayers and genuine benefit recipients.

Celeste Calocane told a London inquiry that mental health services repeatedly failed to act on warnings about her son, Valdo Calocane, before he killed three people in Nottingham. She said she felt abandoned by the system and forced into the role of monitoring his condition without training, noting that her concerns were ignored until crises emerged. Testimony described his deteriorating mental state, delusional beliefs and lack of support following hospital discharge. The inquiry also heard details of his actions and communications on the day of the killings, as well as his estrangement from the family months earlier. The proceedings continue.

Testimony at the Nottingham Inquiry detailed how Elias Calocane interpreted his brother Valdo’s disturbing text messages as expressions of suicidal intent rather than threats toward others. The messages, sent in 2020, referenced anguish, paranoia and “red rum,” yet Elias viewed them within a context of personal distress and religious language rather than violence. He said Valdo had never been violent and that he was unaware of his brother’s schizophrenia diagnosis or a doctor’s warning that Valdo could become dangerous. Elias described growing concern for his brother’s mental state and a belief that he might take his own life. The inquiry continues.

An Afghan asylum seeker, Ahmad Mulakhil, received a 15‑year prison sentence plus an additional year on licence for abducting, raping and sexually assaulting a 12‑year‑old girl in Nuneaton. A judge stated that the victim suffered significant and ongoing psychological harm and emphasized Mulakhil’s high culpability. Mulakhil, who arrived in the UK four months before the offences, claimed he believed the girl was 19. A second Afghan asylum seeker tried alongside him, Mohammad Kabir, was acquitted of all charges. Protests occurred in Nuneaton following the attack.

An Afghan asylum seeker, Ahmad Mulakhil, received a 15‑year prison sentence for abducting, raping, and sexually assaulting a 12‑year‑old girl in Nuneaton, with the court citing the victim’s extreme vulnerability and lasting trauma. Mulakhil, who arrived in the UK four months before the offences, was also given an additional year on licence. Protests followed the incident, and co‑defendant Mohammad Kabir was acquitted of all charges.

Family members of Nottingham attack victim Ian Coates expressed anger over severe communication failures by Nottinghamshire Police after his son learned of his death through Instagram and his partner was incorrectly told he died in a road accident. They criticised both the police and NHS for missed opportunities in managing attacker Valdo Calocane, saying the tragedy could have been prevented and calling for accountability and systemic reform.

Testimony from Elaine Newton at the public inquiry into the Nottingham attacks describes being misinformed by Nottinghamshire Police that her partner, Ian Coates, had died in a car crash rather than a stabbing, leaving her distressed and confused for hours. She expressed deep frustration with both police and NHS failures, saying she was denied key information about Valdo Calocane’s history and left without clear explanations about his prosecution. Newton criticised the lack of communication between police and NHS services and stated she has lost confidence in both institutions, calling for accountability for those responsible for the systemic failures leading to the deaths of Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar.

Peter Windsor was given an indefinite hospital order and a restraining order after being convicted of stalking Myleene Klass and Katie Breathwick by sending them threatening items including an air pistol, handcuffs and disturbing letters between 2020 and 2024. Klass reported feeling terror, while Breathwick became increasingly anxious. Jurors rejected Windsor’s insanity plea, and the judge cited his significant mental health problems and escalating behaviour when issuing the sentence.

A 15-year-old boy was sentenced to a minimum of 13 years in detention for murdering 12-year-old Leo Ross in a random knife attack in Birmingham, following a series of violent assaults against elderly women days earlier. Prosecutors detailed the prior attacks, including an attempted drowning of an 82-year-old woman and injuries sustained by two others. During sentencing, the judge noted the seriousness of the crimes and ruled that the defendant may be named after a short delay to allow for potential appeal. Concerns regarding the defendant's behaviour in detention were also highlighted as the hearing continued.

A 15-year-old boy was sentenced to a minimum of 13 years in detention for murdering 12-year-old Leo Ross in Birmingham’s Shire Country Park. The defendant, who was 14 at the time, admitted the killing along with multiple assaults on three elderly women committed days earlier. A judge ruled the perpetrator could be publicly identified due to public interest.

A 15-year-old boy admitted murdering 12-year-old Leo Ross in a random stabbing as the victim walked home from school in Birmingham. The defendant, who also pleaded guilty to multiple previous violent offences, had thrown the murder weapon into a river and falsely claimed to have discovered the injured boy. Police found no connection between the attacker and the victim. Sentencing is scheduled for 10 February at Birmingham Crown Court, where the youth remains in detention pending the hearing.

A jury at Birmingham Crown Court found Sheraz Malik guilty of two counts of rape against an 18‑year‑old woman attacked in Sutton Lawn park in Nottinghamshire. Malik, an asylum seeker originally from Pakistan, claimed the encounter was consensual, but the victim testified that she was drunk, vulnerable and assaulted by two men. Reporting restrictions previously hid his immigration status. The judge ordered a pre‑sentence report and remanded Malik into custody while a sentencing date is arranged.

A 28‑year‑old asylum seeker, Sheraz Malik, was unanimously convicted at Birmingham Crown Court of orally and vaginally raping an 18‑year‑old vulnerable woman in Sutton Lawn park in June of the previous year. The victim had been left alone with a group of men after drinking vodka before being assaulted by two different men. The judge ordered a pre‑sentence report, remanded Malik into custody, and scheduled a future hearing to set the sentencing date.

A rogue roofer, John McDonald, received a 13-and-a-half-year sentence for killing Suzanne Cherry during a police chase that ended on a Staffordshire golf course. The pursuit involved dangerous driving, multiple collisions, and an attempt to flee after striking the victim. McDonald and accomplices Brett Delaney and Johnny McDonald also admitted conspiracy to commit fraud for exploiting elderly residents through substandard roofing work under the name Approved Roofs Ltd. The judge condemned their actions and emphasised the devastation caused to Cherry’s family. Additional prison terms were imposed on Delaney and Johnny McDonald for their roles in the fraud scheme.

A Swansea Crown Court judge sentenced Michelle Mills and her lover, Geraint Berry, to 19 years in prison for conspiring to murder Mills’s husband so they could continue their affair. Berry and accomplice Steven Thomas attacked Christopher Mills in a caravan using imitation firearms and equipment intended to stage his death as a suicide, but he survived after fighting them off. Text messages revealed the pair’s planning, with the judge highlighting Mills’s role in encouraging the attack and deleting incriminating evidence. Berry and Thomas also received additional sentences for firearm offences.

Wintry conditions persist across the UK, with up to 7cm of snow reported in parts of Wales and Scotland. The Met Office issues multiple yellow warnings for ice and snow across several regions, alongside an amber warning for north-east England. Cold Arctic air drives the season’s first significant cold snap, with expected snow accumulations of 2–5cm at lower levels and up to 25cm in higher areas such as the North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds, with the coldest conditions anticipated midweek.

Unite union members involved in an ongoing Birmingham bin strike have voted to continue industrial action past next May’s local elections, escalating the dispute. Agency workers employed by Job & Talent will join council staff on picket lines from 1 December, adding pressure on Birmingham City Council. Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham criticised the council for prolonging the conflict instead of offering a fair deal. The strike, ongoing since March, has led to increasing numbers of agency staff refusing to cross picket lines due to heavy workloads.

Agency staff employed by Job & Talent have voted to join Birmingham’s ongoing refuse worker strikes, escalating a dispute that has already involved hundreds of Unite members since March. Unite reports that increasing numbers of agency workers are refusing to cross picket lines due to heavy workloads. From December 1, agency and directly employed workers will strike together, with union leadership criticising Birmingham City Council for failing to reach a settlement and continuing to spend heavily on the prolonged conflict.

A 34‑year‑old woman, Katie Fox, died in hospital after being stabbed in the neck on Smallbrook Queensway in Birmingham. Her family described her as a gentle and special person. Djeison Rafael, 21, from Smethwick, has been charged with her murder and appeared via video link at Birmingham Crown Court from HMP Long Lartin.

The family of Katie Fox, who died after being stabbed in Birmingham, released a tribute describing her as a loving and gentle daughter. Katie, 34, was attacked on Smallbrook Queensway and later died in hospital. Djeison Rafael, 21, has been charged with her murder and appeared in court via video link. The family expressed gratitude to emergency responders and requested privacy as they grieve.

Prosecutors charged John Ashby with rape, sexual assault, intentional strangulation, racially aggravated assault, and robbery following a police investigation into an attack on a woman in her 20s in Walsall. West Midlands Police reported community concern and continued engagement with local leaders, while the victim receives support from specialist officers. Criminal proceedings are active, and authorities warned against commentary that could prejudice the case.

King Charles was briefly confronted by a heckler who questioned Prince Andrew’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein and called for parliamentary debate on the royals during a visit to Lichfield Cathedral. The man was quickly removed by someone in the crowd while others voiced irritation. The King continued meeting attendees before travelling to the National Memorial Arboretum for the dedication of the UK’s first national LGBT+ armed forces memorial.

Ofsted will introduce revised school inspection methods in England from November, replacing overall judgments with detailed colour‑coded report cards covering attendance, behaviour, inclusion and other indicators. The new five‑grade scale aims to provide clearer, more nuanced information for parents and reduce pressure on schools following longstanding criticism, including concerns raised after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry. Early‑years settings will receive more frequent inspections and disadvantaged or vulnerable children will be a specific focus. Stakeholders have urged caution over the pace of reforms, but Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver says changes will be implemented gradually, emphasising fairness, transparency and maintaining rigorous oversight to protect children’s safety.

King Charles officially opened the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in the West Midlands, meeting patients and exchanging light‑hearted jokes about aging while inquiring about their health. He greeted the first baby born at the hospital and completed the visit as part of a day of engagements that also included a tour of the Oratory of St Philip Neri in Birmingham.

A VJ Day remembrance service in Staffordshire saw veteran Yavar Abbas deliver an unscripted tribute to King Charles for attending despite undergoing cancer treatment, prompting an emotional reaction from Queen Camilla. The ceremony, attended by the King, Queen and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, honoured the 80th anniversary of VJ Day and highlighted the contributions of the so‑called forgotten army that served in East Asia. Charles acknowledged both Allied sacrifices and the suffering caused by the atomic bombings, before meeting descendants of wartime soldiers and viewing memorials dedicated to the Burma campaigns.

Kelly Osbourne expressed gratitude to fans for their support following Ozzy Osbourne’s death at age 76. Tributes have been placed at the Black Sabbath Bench in Birmingham, where the family held their own procession. Birmingham City Council has begun preserving the items before passing them to the family.

A man has been charged with murdering Gurvinder Johal, who was fatally stabbed inside a Lloyds Bank branch in Derby. Police arrested 47-year-old Haybe Nur Cabdiraxmaan shortly after the incident, and prosecutors have authorised charges, with a court appearance scheduled in Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court. A second man arrested in connection with the case has been released without further action. Tributes described Johal as a humble and kind businessman, while authorities urged the public to avoid commentary that could prejudice the ongoing legal proceedings.

Unite’s Sharon Graham urged Birmingham City Council to involve its leader, John Cotton, in negotiations to resolve the ongoing bin workers’ strike, triggered by plans to remove key waste‑collection roles and regrade drivers, potentially cutting their pay by £8,000. She accused the council of acting unfairly, especially after suggesting publicly that no worker would lose income. The union insists a deal is achievable if decision‑makers join the talks and commit to protecting pay, while the council maintains it is conducting a fair job‑evaluation process.

Firefighters issued safety warnings after a Birmingham resident attempted to burn household recycling indoors during an ongoing bin strike, resulting in smoke inhalation requiring oxygen treatment. Rubbish accumulation persists as Birmingham City Council and Unite prepare for new negotiations with Acas involvement. Leadership changes were announced within the council’s city operations department, with Craig Cooper set to leave and Richard Brooks assuming the interim role.

Birmingham’s council leader urges Unite to return to negotiations to end the ongoing bin strike that began on March 11, stressing the dispute cannot continue and that the council will not cross its red lines on equal pay and waste service reform. Thousands of tonnes of rubbish remain on streets despite accelerated clearing efforts. Unite members have rejected the latest council offer, citing fears of significant pay cuts for waste recycling collection officers and drivers. The union argues that written guarantees of no loss of income would bring a deal closer. Both parties signal willingness to continue talks as pressure mounts to restore normal waste collection across the city.

Birmingham waste collection workers remain on strike over the council’s plan to remove the waste recycling collection officer role, prompting rubbish accumulation and public health concerns. Council operations director Craig Cooper urged workers to reconsider what he described as a fair offer that includes alternative roles and protections, but Unite members overwhelmingly rejected it, citing fears of significant pay cuts. Striking workers expressed concerns about financial hardship, while residents reported rat infestations near overflowing waste. Negotiations between the council and the union are set to continue as the dispute enters its fifth week.

Birmingham City Council declared a major incident as an estimated 17,000 tonnes of uncollected waste accumulated during an all‑out strike by Unite union workers. Blocked depots have severely reduced waste‑collection capacity, prompting the deployment of additional cleansing crews and contingency measures. Local officials warned of worsening health and safety risks while urging the union to reconsider its position after unsuccessful negotiations. The council maintains it has made a fair offer and seeks external support to manage mounting rubbish and restore normal service.

A major incident has been declared in Birmingham after a Unite-led bin strike left 17,000 tonnes of waste uncollected. The dispute stems from the council’s removal of waste collection and recycling officer roles. Picket lines have obstructed depots, hindering contingency plans, while accumulating rubbish has created health and fire hazards. Negotiations have stalled despite the council describing its offer as fair, prompting it to seek help from neighbouring authorities and the government.

Nearly 400 Birmingham refuse workers began an indefinite strike over job and pay concerns, with Unite arguing that the council is using temporary labour to undermine industrial action and imposing pay cuts after restructuring waste collection roles. Birmingham City Council maintains it has made a fair offer, provided alternative roles and training, and insists service improvements require the changes opposed by the union. The strike has caused significant disruption to bin services, with only half of collection crews operating, and police presence at picket lines has drawn union criticism. Both sides signal willingness to negotiate, but no resolution has been reached.

A woman pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a newborn baby found in Warrington woodland in 1998, with psychiatrists determining she suffered significant mental impairment at the time. The plea, accepted by prosecutors and the court, followed a decades‑long investigation that identified her through a familial DNA match. She also admitted attempting to conceal the birth. Police concluded she had hidden the pregnancy, given birth at home, caused the baby’s death, and disposed of the body in bin bags. Sentencing was postponed for a pre‑sentence report as officials stated the guilty plea provides some closure but cannot undo the loss of the child.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust was fined £1.6 million after admitting failures in maternity care that led to the preventable deaths of three babies in 2021. A judge cited systemic lapses, including poor communication, lack of escalation and ignored clinical guidance, which exposed mothers and infants to severe risk. The case follows earlier revelations of widespread failings and an ongoing independent inquiry now reviewing around 2,000 incidents. Families described traumatic experiences and preventable loss, while the trust issued apologies and outlined improvements such as increased staffing and additional training.

Nearly 200 well‑preserved dinosaur footprints dating back 166 million years were uncovered at Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, forming several long trackways made by sauropods and a Megalosaurus. The excavation, led by research teams from the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham, produced detailed 3D models and thousands of images, offering new insights into dinosaur movement, size and interactions. The discovery connects with earlier trackways found in 1997 and will feature in a BBC Two programme and a new exhibition at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

A Birmingham father, Kadees Mohammed, was sentenced to a hospital order after killing his three‑week‑old son and injuring his wife and mother during a psychotic episode caused by undiagnosed schizophrenia. The court heard he had displayed delusional behaviour the day before the attack, and the judge noted he had previously been a devoted family man before the sudden onset of severe mental illness. Convicted of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility and wounding, he has since been a model patient in a secure facility. The baby’s mother released a tribute mourning the loss of her son.

A 75‑year‑old woman was arrested after retired veterinarian Tony Harrington, 77, died from dog bite injuries in his garden in Meriden, Warwickshire. Paramedics found him in cardiac arrest, and seven dogs were seized, including one believed to be his own. Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the attack. Harrington, a long‑time veterinary professional and traction engine enthusiast, was remembered warmly by the National Traction Engine Trust ahead of his funeral.

Evidence presented at Birmingham Crown Court describes how uninsured driver Elliott Nash was speeding and had consumed cannabis before striking district judge Matthew Mawdsley as he attempted to cross the A38 after a Christmas gathering. Mawdsley suffered fatal injuries after being hit by Nash’s vehicle and then a second car. Prosecutors argue Nash’s speeding, lack of insurance and failure to stop contributed to the death, while Nash denies smoking cannabis before the crash and claims he believed he was insured. The trial continues.

The police watchdog completed its investigation into Nottinghamshire Police’s interaction with a van driven by Valdo Calocane shortly before it struck pedestrians during attacks that killed three people. The Independent Office for Police Conduct reviewed whether the officer’s presence influenced events and shared its report with the injured pedestrians and the police force, with findings to be released after criminal proceedings conclude. Calocane pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility and pleaded guilty to attempted murder.

The parents of Gracie Spinks, who was killed by a man she had previously reported for stalking, are pushing for national reforms to ensure consistent policing of stalking cases across the UK. An inquest found multiple failures by Derbyshire Police, and the coroner warned of a postcode lottery in how forces handle such reports. The family is advocating for Gracie’s law to improve training and procedures, noting growing support from the public and some police forces. They aim to reduce fear among victims and prevent future deaths by driving nationwide change.

A man identified as Valdo Calocane admitted killing three people in Nottingham and pleaded guilty to attempting to murder three others but denied murder charges, citing diminished responsibility due to severe mental illness. Prosecutors are reviewing whether to accept the pleas. The victims included two University of Nottingham students and a school caretaker, and three pedestrians were injured by a van allegedly stolen from one of the victims. Police conduct surrounding the incident is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The case has been adjourned until mid-January 2024.

An inquest heard that Gracie Spinks’s father discovered via Facebook that a rucksack containing weapons had been found near the stables a month before her killing, after police collected it but conducted no investigation or warning to those nearby. The bag was later linked to Michael Sellers, who had previously harassed Spinks after working with her at Xbite before being dismissed. Statements from her parents described their lack of awareness of the danger Sellers posed, earlier incidents that had frightened her, and the family’s efforts to keep her safe. The proceedings also noted the family’s recent bereavement and indicated that missed opportunities may have contributed to the failure to prevent her death. The inquest continues.

An inquest heard that a family member saw knives in Michael Sellers’ bedroom months before he allegedly killed colleague Gracie Spinks. Sellers’ mother reported his decline after losing his job at e‑commerce firm xbite for harassing Spinks, noting changed behaviour, increased fixation on her, and warnings given about the knives. She also found carrots and apples in his room before Spinks’ death, linking them to her horse, and searched for him near Duckmanton on the day of the killing. The proceedings continue.

Testimony at an inquest detailed Gracie Spinks’ repeated concerns about increasingly intrusive and unsettling behaviour by former colleague Michael Sellers months before she was fatally stabbed. Her workplace complaint described feeling unsafe, citing stalking-like actions on social media, surveillance by colleagues, and an incident in which Sellers parked near the field where her horse was kept. Additional statements outlined his attempts to impress her, subsequent dismissal for misconduct, and her fear following a police report. Sellers is believed to have killed Spinks before taking his own life, and the inquest continues.

Derbyshire Constabulary detective superintendent Darren De’Ath apologised to Gracie Spinks’s family during her inquest, admitting that the force should have handled her stalking report and a separate weapons report more effectively. Spinks, 23, was stabbed to death while tending her horse in Duckmanton in June 2021; her former colleague Michael Sellers, whom she had reported for stalking, is believed to have killed her before taking his own life. The family rejected the apology as inappropriate, and the inquest continues.

A senior Derbyshire police officer issued a formal apology at an inquest into the killing of 23‑year‑old Gracie Spinks, acknowledging significant failings in how the force handled her earlier stalking report and related evidence. The officer described deep regret and said improvements were underway, prompting an emotional response from Spinks’s family, who rejected the apology as inappropriate. The inquest continues.

An inquest heard that weapons found in a rucksack weeks before Gracie Spinks was fatally stabbed should have been treated as a serious threat. Detective Chief Inspector Claudia Musson said the knives, hammer, axe, Viagra and a note suggested potential sexual violence and warranted investigation, contrasting with officers who dismissed the items as bushcraft tools and sent them to lost property. Witness Anna White, who discovered the bag, said she was shocked by the police response. The inquest continues.

Testimony at the inquest into the killing of Gracie Spinks detailed former Derbyshire Police sergeant Lee Richards’ regret over advising officers to classify a discovered bag of weapons as lost property rather than pursue further investigation. Richards said he assumed the items were benign based on previous rural policing experience and acknowledged with hindsight that his assessment was wrong. Questions from the coroner focused on his lack of follow‑up regarding the discovery site and a receipt linked to the suspect’s father. Richards disputed claims that he failed to request an intelligence log but expressed disappointment that one was not filed. The inquest remains ongoing.

Testimony at an inquest detailed how a Derbyshire Police officer assessed a bag containing knives, an axe and other items found weeks before Gracie Spinks was killed, considering them harmless props rather than potential weapons. The officer acknowledged not visiting the scene, not documenting the bag’s full contents and following a sergeant’s guidance to dispose of it, later expressing regret and saying the incident has fundamentally changed her investigative approach. The bag was later linked to Michael Sellers, believed to have killed Spinks before taking his own life. The inquest is ongoing.

An inquest heard that Sergeant Matthew Adams admitted errors in closing a stalking investigation involving Michael Sellers months before Sellers fatally stabbed Gracie Spinks. He acknowledged relying on an inadequate crime report, failing to document risk discussions, and missing opportunities such as requesting a disciplinary file from their employer. Adams defended the decision to close the case based on limited evidence and Spinks’ lack of support for further action but conceded that an interim stalking order might have been possible without her consent. The inquest continues.

The Royal British Legion opened its largest field of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum, featuring more than 10,000 tributes arranged as a giant poppy. Veterans John Parkes and Mark Smith described how the charity had provided crucial support during periods of severe hardship, prompting feelings of gratitude and motivating ongoing volunteer efforts. The event included a service, silence, choir performance and military flypast, underscoring community commitment to honouring fallen service members and supporting those affected by their service.