Victoria Scheer

Ian Moffat, 63, of York, was sentenced to 22 years and eight months in prison after being convicted of six counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault against a girl. He had admitted possessing 149 indecent images of children, including 21 Category A images, and was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and given a sexual harm prevention order. The abuse was reported to North Yorkshire Police in December 2023, prompting the seizure of Moffat’s digital devices and discovery of the images.

RSPCA data shows animal cruelty reports rose 15% in West Yorkshire and 6% in North Yorkshire during summer 2025, while reports fell 6% in South Yorkshire. Nationally, emergency-line calls increased 64% year on year to 6,322. The charity attributes the increase partly to higher pet ownership since the pandemic and longer summer days that create more opportunities to witness cruelty. Reported cases included an injured terrier in West Yorkshire and two dead kittens found in Rotherham. The RSPCA has launched its “Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues” campaign as its centres cope with high numbers of animals needing care.

Farmer Christopher Wright, 73, was convicted of murdering his lodger Richard Dyson, whose remains were found in 2025 inside a concrete-filled barrel in a locked trailer near Barnsley nearly six years after his disappearance. Prosecutors said Wright shot Dyson after becoming angry over the theft of a machine gun, then enlisted childhood friend Karl Schwalbe to help conceal the body. Schwalbe was convicted of perverting the course of justice, while Wright also faced conspiracy, burial and firearms convictions. Wright will receive a life sentence and Schwalbe is expected to receive a custodial sentence at a hearing on 6 August; Schwalbe was granted bail on health grounds, while Wright remains in custody.

The Grade II listed Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Dodworth, Barnsley, is to close permanently after an estimated repair bill exceeding £250,000. Required work includes replacing the Welsh slate roof, repairing structural timbers and beams, and addressing water ingress. Canon Keith Farrow said costs had risen from an initial estimate of £40,000 to a quarter of a million pounds, beyond the parish’s resources, prompting the diocese to begin closure proceedings. Services have moved to Dodworth Methodist Church, with a public consultation scheduled for 12 August.

A 58-year-old woman was found with fatal injuries at Cottingley Towers in Leeds on 25 July 2026. West Yorkshire Police arrested a 52-year-old man on suspicion of murder and said the incident was isolated, with no wider search for suspects. The woman’s family is being supported by specialist officers, and police are seeking information from the public.

Three Albanian men—Sina Ervin, Kadri Sinamati and Kastriot Hoxha—pleaded guilty at Sheffield Crown Court to immigration offences involving false information submitted under the EU Settlement Scheme. Hoxha also admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply, while the prosecution agreed not to pursue several offences they denied. All three will be sentenced in September. Denis Hani, arrested during the same June Home Office raids, was previously sentenced to 14 months in prison after admitting fraud and immigration offences. A fifth man has pleaded not guilty and is due to stand trial in November.

Hospitality businesses across Yorkshire have cautiously welcomed a planned 20% business rates reduction for qualifying pubs, clubs and live music venues in England from April. They say the measure could provide modest financial relief, with estimated savings of about £1,100 next year, but argue that restaurants, hotels and cafés should also be included. Business representatives further call for a reduction in hospitality VAT, saying broader support is needed to revive venues, encourage customers to spend and strengthen the wider economy.

A charity worker, Kathryn Kelwick, is on trial accused of manipulating a vulnerable abuse survivor into giving her £16,000 from a compensation award. Prosecutors say she abused her position at Swinton Lock Activity Centre to influence the woman, who believed sharing the money was part of their relationship. The defence argues the payments were voluntary gifts given within a friendship and later regretted after a falling‑out. The centre’s manager testified that staff were prohibited from accepting cash gifts and said Kelwick failed to report them, leading to her dismissal for gross misconduct. The trial is ongoing.

Bereaved families met with inquiry chair Donna Ockenden as the investigation into maternity and neonatal services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust began. Parents whose babies died or were harmed expressed hope for meaningful improvements and said they felt empowered by the opportunity to share their experiences. The inquiry will examine up to 3,000 cases over 15 years, following reports that dozens of baby and maternal deaths may have been preventable. Families and advocates urged current and former staff to contribute evidence as the review proceeds.

Court testimony detailed how an ID card belonging to murder suspect Christopher Wright was found with the remains of Richard Dyson, his former lodger, whose body was discovered concealed in concrete on a neighbouring farm. Prosecutors allege Wright killed Dyson after a dispute involving a missing machine gun and later hid the body with help from his friend Karl Schwalbe, charges both men deny. Wright contested several prosecution claims, including owning the trailer where the body was found, purchasing cement, and contacting neighbours to store the trailer. A recorded 2021 conversation between Wright and Schwalbe was also examined as the trial continues.

Christopher Wright denied murdering his lodger Richard Dyson, whose remains were found in a concrete-filled barrel in Barnsley in 2025. Prosecutors allege Dyson was killed after attempting to steal one of Wright’s guns and that Wright, assisted by childhood friend Karl Schwalbe, disposed of the body. Wright told the court he had known Dyson for decades, got along well with him and last saw him on 17 November 2019. He rejected claims that he called Schwalbe for help following the alleged killing, insisting the calls concerned Schwalbe’s diabetes. The trial continues.

A West Yorkshire Police constable was fined after being found guilty of using excessive and unreasonable force on a moped rider during an arrest in Leeds, with CCTV showing multiple knee strikes and punches to the man’s head. The victim required hospital treatment, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct concluded the officer’s actions amounted to common assault. West Yorkshire Police stated the constable will face misconduct proceedings, stressing that force must be reasonable, necessary and proportionate.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority banned former PM Law finance head Jonathon Bostock from working at regulated law firms after finding he permitted improper client withdrawals, fabricated balances and failed to report financial problems at the firm. PM Law collapsed in February, leaving hundreds unemployed and thousands of clients facing financial disruption, with up to £39.5m in client money potentially missing. Affected clients criticised the sanction as inadequate as claims to the SRA’s compensation fund exceeded £21m. South Yorkshire Police is reviewing a referral from Report Fraud as wider investigations continue.