Stuart Harratt

Former Hull senior youth worker Jacob Agnew, 30, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison after being convicted of six sexual offences against girls aged 14 to 17. He had also admitted four further sexual offences and fraud related to falsifying a reference for a school job application while suspended from his youth worker role. The offences took place between 2012 and 2022 and involved seven victims. Agnew was described in court as having abused a position of trust; he has been banned from contact with under-18s and must register as a sex offender.

Hull City have unveiled a white 2026-27 Premier League away kit inspired by the club’s 1988-90 design, featuring black and amber trim, black shorts and a poetic inscription by Hull-born writer Shane Rhodes. The kit is designed and produced by Hull-based Oxen Sports. The club also announced a three-year shirt sponsorship agreement with Corendon Airlines and will begin its Premier League campaign at home against Manchester United on 22 August.

A mini meadow created on Land Registry property near Hull’s St Stephen’s Shopping Centre has attracted ten butterfly species, including the small skipper, which has been breeding there. The project, part of the Hull Butterfly City initiative, encourages growing plants that support caterpillars and pollinators. Staff initially concerned about the site’s appearance now welcome the increase in wildlife, with dragonflies and grasshoppers also thriving.

A wildflower meadow created on Land Registry land in central Hull has attracted ten butterfly species, including breeding small skippers, which are rarely found in cities. The project, supported by Hull Butterfly City, relies on uncut grass that provides habitat for overwintering caterpillars. The site has also drawn other wildlife such as dragonflies and grasshoppers, and staff at the Land Registry describe the initiative as exciting and beneficial for urban biodiversity.

A Lincolnshire couple who each survived recent near‑fatal health emergencies won £333,333 as part of a £1m Postcode Lottery jackpot shared among three households in Glentham. They described the win as uplifting after a difficult year and plan to support family, friends, and their pets with the money. Ambulance worker David Docherty’s past service in Kosovo was noted, and four Lincolnshire charities received a separate £200,000 donation from the Postcode Lottery.

A Spain–Argentina World Cup final creates divided loyalties for a Lincolnshire couple from Madrid and Argentina whose three England‑supporting children add another layer to the mix. Running a deli blending their home cuisines, they each back their own national team, with Maria predicting a Spain win and Andres leaning slightly toward Argentina. The match promises tension at home as Spain enter as slight favourites.

A wardrobe clear‑out in Beverley generated more than £12,000 at a Scarborough auction, featuring 66 unused luxury items from brands including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana. The top sale was a Louis Vuitton City Steamer MM Night Lights tote at £1,200, while other notable results included a Dolce & Gabbana Sicily Clock bag and a Louis Vuitton Estrela tote. A Chanel 19 medium flap bag, designed by Karl Lagerfeld, failed to sell despite high expectations. Auctioneer Coralie Thomson described strong interest and praised the craftsmanship of the designers.

A 16-year-old boy, Iretomiwa Abiodun Micheal, died after getting into difficulty at Swanholme Lakes in Lincoln, prompting tributes from his family describing him as joyful, caring and compassionate. He was the second teenager to die at the lake this summer. In response, the City of Lincoln Council has introduced daily warden patrols to discourage swimming and improve safety, with police involvement if necessary.

More than 2,200 dolphins and about 50 whales have been recorded at Bempton Cliffs since the site became England’s first official Shorewatch location. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation charity trains volunteers to carry out short marine surveys, and the team has completed its 1,000th observation. Staff and volunteers say the data helps track environmental changes affecting marine mammals and supports evidence-based conservation. The programme, originally established in Scotland, highlights the role of citizen science in assessing and protecting coastal wildlife.

Lincoln City Council will deploy wardens at Swanholme Lakes following the drowning deaths of two teenagers. The wardens will operate daily to deter people from entering the water, though they will not act as lifeguards. Authorities emphasise the danger of the lakes and will involve police if individuals ignore warnings. The plan requires approval from the council’s executive and would run through October.

A Hull man, Laurance Worvill, received a 24-year prison sentence and extended licence after being convicted of attempted murder for deliberately hitting his ex-wife with his car and attacking her with a baseball bat. He located her after stealing address information from a Royal Mail depot where he had previously worked. The judge condemned the attack as shocking and noted Worvill’s lack of remorse. The victim continues to suffer significant physical and psychological trauma, and police described Worvill as dangerous and calculating.

A union warned that 36 staff roles at the University of Lincoln are at risk and said it would call a strike ballot if proposed redundancies proceed. UCU general secretary Jo Grady criticised the plan as unacceptable, warning of damage to teaching quality and research. The university attributed the potential cuts to shifts in student demand, demographic changes and competitive pressures, stating it aims to remain sustainable while delivering strong outcomes.

More than 1,000 counterfeit Squeezy Dumplings toys were seized in Hull after tests found some contained the carcinogen benzene. Hull City Council and Trading Standards urged parents to check toys for proper supplier information and dispose of suspicious items. The Office for Product Safety and Standards issued a national recall, and authorities destroyed the seized products while encouraging the public to report sales of the toys.

Hull’s George Street multi‑storey car park will fully close for a week to complete repairs and cleaning following an accidental car fire that damaged its upper floors. Hull City Council said safety concerns required a full assessment before reopening and acknowledged public frustration over the partial closure. Reports of drug use and rough sleeping in the car park have prompted considerations for increased security measures.

A man received a 10-year prison sentence for attacking a couple in Lincoln with a meat cleaver, severely injuring a woman. An accomplice who assaulted the male victim received a suspended 15‑month sentence. Police said the sentencing underscores the seriousness of knife-related offences and aims to deter similar attacks.

An inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate reports that Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service has improved in performance management, leadership, values and culture, though fairness and diversity still require progress. The service received good ratings for understanding risk, prevention and training, while responding to emergencies was rated adequate. Inspectors noted limited progress in estate upgrades and risk‑information reliability. Chief Fire Officer Mark Baxter welcomed the findings and said ongoing projects aim to address remaining improvement areas.

The UK government will fund new jets for the Red Arrows as part of a £15bn defence spending increase, including £360m for a new British Jet Trainer System. Additional investment includes £1.1bn to upgrade Typhoon fighters and expanded drone development, while the Shadow R1 aircraft will be retired early. Ministers described the changes as difficult but necessary, while opposition figures criticised the plan as insufficient.

The UK government will fund new jets for the Red Arrows as part of a £15bn increase in defence spending, including £360m for a new British Jet Trainer System to replace the ageing Hawk aircraft. Upgrades worth £1.1bn are planned for Typhoon fighters at RAF Coningsby, while the Shadow R1 surveillance aircraft at RAF Waddington will be retired early. Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said tough choices were required to finance the investment, while shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge criticised the plan as insufficient.