Stephen Topping

Police responded to reports of a stabbing on Rochdale Road in Royton early Sunday morning, where a 29-year-old man was found with non-life-threatening knife wounds. A cordon was established at a nearby car park as officers conducted inquiries. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.

A convicted murderer, Paul Sharpe, admitted to kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl after threatening her with a knife and holding her captive for eight hours while driving between car parks near Manchester. Police located them in a Knutsford hotel car park after the victim was reported missing and identified through CCTV. The Crown Prosecution Service detailed the assaults and said his guilty pleas spared the victim a trial. Sentencing is scheduled for September 4.

The UK government has allowed pubs to stay open until 5am for England’s World Cup match against Mexico, but major chains such as Wetherspoons and many independent venues plan to stay closed due to staffing challenges, local community concerns and limited demand. Greene King will keep over 600 pubs open, while some owners argue the extended hours provide little benefit outside major cities. The British Beer and Pub Association notes an ongoing decline in UK pub numbers, highlighting pressure on the sector as it weighs the value of longer opening times.