Tom Bevan

Shaun Hall, whose mother Michaela was murdered by her abusive former partner Lee Kendall in Cornwall in 2021, says police and probation authorities missed multiple opportunities to protect her. Kendall had 47 previous convictions across 78 offences and a documented history of assaults against Michaela, but was released from prison after being wrongly classified as medium risk. Police attended the home several times on the night of the murder but did not enter, while officers allegedly blamed Michaela for not helping herself. An inquest found shortcomings and errors in probation procedures, and Shaun is pursuing legal action with the Good Law Project against the police and probation service. Authorities say reforms have been implemented, while the Ministry of Justice declined to comment on the live proceedings.

Residents of Bibury in the Cotswolds opposed plans by Bibury Trout Farm to convert storage space into a cafe and shopping area, citing severe congestion, parking shortages, pedestrian safety risks, noise and damage to the village’s historic character. Cotswold District Council unanimously rejected the proposal after 102 objections, with planners and the Highway Authority saying safe access had not been demonstrated during peak tourism periods. The dispute forms part of wider local tensions over overtourism and controversial building works at Rosemary Cottage.