Jasper King – Metro https://metro.co.uk Metro.co.uk: News, Sport, Showbiz, Celebrities from Metro Tue, 01 Apr 2025 21:43:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cropped-m-icon-black-9693.png?w=32 Jasper King – Metro https://metro.co.uk 32 32 146859608 Gary Glitter bankrupt after refusing to pay £500,000 to woman he abused https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/01/gary-glitter-bankrupt-refusing-pay-500-000-woman-abused-22832723/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/01/gary-glitter-bankrupt-refusing-pay-500-000-woman-abused-22832723/#respond Tue, 01 Apr 2025 21:43:24 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22832723
Gary Glitter headshot.
His victim brought a compensation claim against him after suffering ‘the worst kind’ of abuse (Picture: Philip Toscano/PA Wire)

Convicted sex offender Gary Glitter is bankrupt after failing to pay £500,000 in damages to one of his victims.

The woman sued Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, in 2015 for abusing her when she was a 12-year-old girl, as well as two other young people between 1975 and 1980.

The sum includes £381,000 in lost earnings and £7,800 for future therapy and treatment.

Richard Scorer, head of abuse law at Slater and Gordon, representing the woman, said: ‘We confirm that Gadd has been made bankrupt following our client’s application.

‘As he has done throughout, Gadd has refused to cooperate with the process and continues to treat his victims with contempt.

‘We hope and trust that the parole board will take his behaviour into account in any future parole applications, as it clearly demonstrates that he has never changed, shows no remorse and remains a serious risk to the public.’

Gary Glitter police handout image.
Gadd is set to be released from jail in February 2031 (Picture: PA)

The court heard that the woman had not worked for decades due to the trauma of being repeatedly raped and ‘humiliated’ by the disgraced singer, who is now 80.

Judge Mrs Justice Tipples said Gadd had subjected his victim ‘to sexual abuse of the most serious kind’.

The judge said the woman had not been able to find ‘any meaningful employment throughout her life’ as a result, and awarded her damages for complex psychological therapy and treatment and loss of earnings.

She said: ‘Her education was ruined and she has suffered severe psychiatric injury for the rest of her life.’

Glitter was put behind bars in 2015 for 16 years after sexually abusing three schoolgirls.

His sentence will end in February 2031.

Glitter was automatically released from HMP The Verne, a low-security prison in Portland, Dorset, in February 2023.

He had served half of his fixed-term determinate sentence but was imprisoned less than six weeks after walking free.

This was after police monitoring showed he had breached his licence conditions by reportedly trying to access the dark web and viewing downloaded images of children.

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British man dies after being ‘severely burned’ in B&B gas explosion https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/01/british-man-dies-severely-burned-b-amp-b-gas-explosion-22832241/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/01/british-man-dies-severely-burned-b-amp-b-gas-explosion-22832241/#respond Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:05:15 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22832241
Exploded B&B with Grant pictured.
Grant Paterson, 54, has died following the B&B explosion that happened in Rome, Italy, on March 22 (Picture: REX)

A man has died in Rome after a gas explosion completely destroyed a B&B.

Grant Paterson, 54, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, died from his injuries following the explosion that happened at around 8.30am on March 22.

He was pulled out of the ruins after he suffered severe burns and was taken to hospital for treatment, according to Roma Today.

Grant was employed by CalMac which confirmed today that he had died.

Photos from his social media show him visiting sites like the Pantheon and Colosseum just days before his death.

He wrote in a previous Facebook post: ‘Arrived in Rome, trains, planes, buses and foot… Accommodation is beautiful. This should be a good week … if I don’t get killed in some ungodly way…’

Grant Paterson Taken without permission - Brit tourist 'fighting for life' after gas explosion reduces Rome B&B to rubble
Grant Paterson wrote about his travels on Facebook shortly before his death

Grant posted about his visit to the Pantheon as well and wrote: ‘Genuinely a dream fulfilled….. I have wanted to see the Pantheon since I was a child. So, so chuffed.’

A JustGiving fundraiser has already raised £12,870 for Grant’s family.

People have been sharing their tributes to him in the comments section, including a user called Debbie, who wrote: ‘So sad to hear this. Hadn’t seen Grant’s face since Hunter High. Just awful. Thoughts with his daughter.’

Adrian Whittaker added: ‘I was saddened to hear this about Grant and and send my best wishes to his family.’

While Rob Walker wrote: ‘So sorry to hear this. Sailed as a passenger on the MV Clansman many times.’

Diane Burke, CalMac’s chief operating officer, said: ‘Everyone at CalMac is distraught that Grant has passed away.

Emergency services at the scene after an explosion at a building thought to be a gas leak, in Via Pio Fo?? and Via Vitellia, in Rome, Sunday, March 23, 2025 (Valentina Stefanelli/LaPresse via AP)
Emergency services at the scene following the explosion (Picture: AP)

‘He was a true gentleman and a credit to MV Clansman, the vessel he served aboard.

‘During a distinguished 12-year career with us, he embodied the very best of CalMac and, with his larger-than-life character, he was much-loved by colleagues and passengers alike.

‘Our thoughts are with Grant’s friends and family at this extremely difficult time.’

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Italy and are in touch with the local authorities.’

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Valentina Stefanelli/LaPresse/Shutterstock (15218374i) Building explodes due to a gas leak in Via Pio Fo? and Via Vitellia. In the photo, the exploded building and the rescuers. Sunday, March 23, 2025 Explosion of the Building for a Gas Leak in Via Pio Fo? and in Via Vitellia, Rome, Italy - 23 Mar 2025
The aftermath of the B&B explosion shows destruction in the area (Picture: Shutterstock)

Rome’s Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, visited the scene of the explosion and told reporters: ‘We don’t know his exact condition, but he suffered burns, and this also suggests that it was an explosion caused by gas, which also causes flames.

‘It was a very loud explosion, a building collapsed and the wall of Villa Pamphili was also damaged.’

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Six teenage boys arrested after girl, 15, is raped in a field https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/01/six-teenage-boys-arrested-girl-15-raped-a-field-22832120/ Tue, 01 Apr 2025 16:59:54 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22832120
Field where girl was raped.
The girl was raped in Chichester, West Sussex, on March 19, between 7 and 8.30pm (Picture: Google)

Six teenage boys have been arrested after a ‘vulnerable’ 15-year-old girl was raped in a ‘horrific attack’.

The girl was attacked in Chichester, West Sussex, close to the Roman wall and stream by the A286 Avenue De Chartres between 7pm and 8.30pm on March 19.

Specialist officers have been supporting the young girl after she reported the rape to the police.

The six teenage boys, four 16-year-olds and two 15-year-olds, have been arrested on suspicion of rape. 

They have been released on bail pending further investigations until the end of June.

Detective Constable Gemma Mulloy said: ‘This was a horrific attack on a vulnerable victim and we recognise the concern this will cause in the community.

‘We swiftly arrested six suspects – some of whom are known to the victim – in connection with the incident, and we are now appealing for anyone with any information to please come forward, as we seek to establish the exact circumstances.

‘Were you in the area around that time and did you witness any suspicious activity? Did you capture anything on camera, or have you seen any relevant footage circulating online?

‘Contact us online or via 101, quoting crime reference 47250052298.’

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22832120
National Lottery ticketholder has just 3 weeks left to claim £3,600,000 prize https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/01/national-lottery-ticketholder-just-3-weeks-left-claim-3-600-000-prize-22831012/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/01/national-lottery-ticketholder-just-3-weeks-left-claim-3-600-000-prize-22831012/#respond Tue, 01 Apr 2025 16:11:29 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22831012
National Lottery sign with man walking past.
The person matched five numbers plus the Life Ball in the Set For Life National Lottery draw on October 24, 2024 (Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

A lucky person has won £3.6million on the National Lottery but only has three weeks to claim the prize.

They have had quite a lot of time to come forward already after matching five numbers plus the Life Ball in the Set For Life draw on October 24, 2024 for just £1.50.

The winning numbers from the draw were 2, 11, 29, 37, 45, and Life Ball 6.

This means that the fortunate person has won the largest possible prize available in the Set For Life draw, with the winner matching all five numbers plus the Life Ball.

All we know is that this person is from Sevenoaks, Kent, and has until April 22 to win £10,000 every month for the next 30 years.

The National Lottery has been doing everything in its power to try and find this mystery person.

LOTTO blank lottery tickets and the black pen placed on top. UK National Lottery. Selective focus. Stafford, United Kingdom, November 14, 2022; Shutterstock ID 2226866973; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -
The National Lottery is trying its best to find the person (Picture: Shutterstock)

It has even resorted to taking over Sevenoaks railway station with special announcements, signs and messages on information boards.

Patrick Lisoire, from National Lottery operator Allwyn, said: ‘Sevenoaks station is one of the busiest transport hubs in the district, so it’s possible the lucky ticketholder, or someone they know, is travelling through here.

‘Wouldn’t it be incredible to be able to swap a season ticket for a winning National Lottery ticket.’

Southeastern’s Sevenoaks Station Manager, Jack Heidrey, added: ‘It’s exciting to think that one of our commuters could be the winning ticketholder but maybe doesn’t know it yet.’

Set For Life takes place on Mondays and Thursdays and those who match all five numbers without the Life Ball can still win £10,000 every month for a year, totalling £120,000.

BATH, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 20: UK National Lottery slips are displayed at a National Lottery ticket desk on October 20, 2024 in Bath, England. Established in 1994, the National Lottery is the state-franchised national lottery in the United Kingdom, initially run by the Camelot Group it is currently operated by Allwyn Entertainment Ltd. Over half the money spent on National Lottery games goes to the prize fund and a quarter goes to good causes that are set out by Parliament. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
The person only has a few weeks now to claim the prize (Picture: Getty Images)

It is not always good news though for people who win the National Lottery.

For example, there are some studies that suggest lottery winners in the US are more likely to declare bankruptcy within three to five years compared to the average citizen.

In the UK Michael Carroll, a bin man who won £9,700,000 on the National Lottery in 2002 – declared bankruptcy nine years later.

But it is not all bad news as an Austrian man pocketed the £200 million EuroMillions jackpot last week.

Some Britons saw £83,000,000 and £65,000,000 jackpots drop into their bank accounts.

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Rebel Energy customer ‘found out provider went bust through social media post’ https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/01/major-energy-firm-goes-bust-leaving-80-000-customers-without-a-supplier-22831215/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/01/major-energy-firm-goes-bust-leaving-80-000-customers-without-a-supplier-22831215/#respond Tue, 01 Apr 2025 15:05:09 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22831215
An overhead view of hands holding a home smart meter against a sunlit desk background and checking energy consumption
Customers can expect to be contacted by their new supplier in the next few days (Picture: Getty Images)

One of the most complained about energy suppliers is going bust, with one customer saying they found out about the news through social media.

Rebel Energy announced it is ceasing to trade, becoming the latest supplier to go under.

This means that their entire customer base is now left without a firm – that is until Ofgem appoints a new one for them.

A statement said: ‘Rebel Energy is ceasing to trade. Ofgem, the energy regulator, is appointing a new supplier for our customers.’

Ofgem assured people that they will not see any disruption to their energy supplies, adding that they are protected.

Rebel Energy’s failure is the latest in a long line of suppliers going under in recent years.

The news has impacted customer Jacqueline Coffey-Raven, who lives in Colchester, Essex.

Like many people this winter, she has been scared to put her heating on and said she received no communication that Rebel Energy had gone bust.

‘Rebel Energy has been a joke since day one,’ she told Metro.

Norwich, Norfolk, UK - February 25th 2025 A close-up of a person's hand holding a smartphone displaying Rebel Energy app; Shutterstock ID 2596968025; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -
Customers like Jacqueline have complained that the Rebel Energy app never worked (Picture: Shutterstock)

‘I went with Rebel Energy when I had to move flat back in September 2024 because they were the cheapest but of course you get what you pay for.

‘I’ve tried to use the app to keep track of what I am spending but since day one it hasn’t worked.

‘I’ve contacted them weekly since September to sort this and all I ever got told was they were in the process of building a new one.

‘Even though I have a smart meter, Rebel Energy cannot take readings from smart meters so I’ve had to do them by hand.

‘All in all, they have been pretty shocking. Their customer service is appalling.’

Jacqueline added that Rebel Energy ‘didn’t bother’ to tell customers like her that it had ceased to trade, instead she found out about the news on social media.

‘We still don’t know who we are paying at the moment,’ she added.

‘Because of the problems with Rebel Energy, I’ve been scared to put my heating on before because I don’t know how much I’m paying.’

Alex Belsham-Harris, head of energy policy at Citizens Advice, said: ‘The failure of Rebel Energy will worry its 90,000 customers.

‘With energy costs and household bills rising, this only adds to an already stressful situation.’

What to do if you are a Rebel Energy customer?

Ofgem’s advice is not to switch, but to wait until they appoint a new supplier.

Customers are also advised to take a meter reading to give to the new supplier in order to ease the switching process and protect any credit.

Once they have been contacted, they can ask to be put on their new supplier’s cheapest deal or look for an alternative deal from another supplier.

They will not be charged exit fees for switching away from their new supplier.

Simon Francis, Coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, added: ‘This is just another sign of the underlying failures in our energy market where the wider industry profits to the tune of billions of pounds, yet households remain at risk of having to pay the costs for failed energy suppliers.

‘While it is reassuring that customers of Rebel Energy should be protected under the Supplier of Last Resort measures, this will not be the end of the story.

‘There are huge questions for Ofgem to answer, including the circumstances around this supplier’s collapse and why the regulator’s new liquidity rules appear to have failed in this instance.’

Ofgem said suppliers must now have capital to cover their risks and ring-fence certain areas of their finances such as customer credit balances under new rules.

But some companies ‘will still fail occasionally’, it said, with the SoLR safety net ensuring that affected customers faced as little disruption as possible.

Ofgem’s director general for markets, Tim Jarvis, said: ‘Rebel Energy customers do not need to worry, and I want to reassure them that they will not see any disruption to their energy supply, and any credit they may have on their accounts remains protected under Ofgem’s rules.

‘We are working quickly to appoint new suppliers for all impacted customers.

‘We’d advise customers not to try to switch supplier in the meantime, and a new supplier will be in touch in the coming weeks with further information.

‘We have worked hard to improve the financial resilience of suppliers in recent years, implementing a series of rules to make sure they can weather unexpected shocks.

‘But like any competitive market, some companies will still fail from time to time, and our priority is making sure consumers are protected if that happens.’

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Dad and son could miss £4,000 holiday after two year old’s passport is ‘stolen’ https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/01/dad-son-miss-4-000-holiday-two-year-olds-passport-stolen-22830329/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/01/dad-son-miss-4-000-holiday-two-year-olds-passport-stolen-22830329/#respond Tue, 01 Apr 2025 14:14:13 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22830329
Nathan Nethercot stood by his door.
Nathan Nethercot, 33, who lives in York, is due to go on holiday with his two-year-old son Stephen in June (Picture: Duncan Lomax)

A dad’s holiday plans could be in jeopardy because he says his two-year-old son’s passport has been stolen.

Nathan Nethercot, 33, who lives in York with his wife and son Stephen Nethercot, said he was contacted by HMRC Childcare Services to send across his son’s passport and birth certificate to claim for tax-free childcare.

He sent Stephen’s passport and birth certificate off on March 7 and he said HMRC Childcare Services verified this on March 13.

But when Nathan received the envelope back on March 15, it only contained his son’s birth certificate, not his passport.

The dad says he was told by HMRC Childcare Services that both would be returned in the same envelope rather than separately.

Nathan believes that the passport has been stolen because photos show how the envelope appears to have been opened by a knife or letter opener.

It was reported to South Yorkshire Police by Nathan on March 18.

Once he realised that the passport was missing, he contacted HM Passport Services to cancel it.

Nathan Nethercot, York Photo ?? Duncan Lomax
Nathan says his son’s birth certificate was returned but the passport is missing (Picture: Duncan Lomax)

The situation has left the dad who has recently moved from Sheffield searching for answers and an apology from those responsible.

He told Metro: ‘This has left me feeling stressed and annoyed because I don’t know where my son’s passport is.

‘It hasn’t helped because I feel like I’ve been going around in circles.

‘If somebody has stolen my son’s passport, it is worrying to know what they might end up doing with it.’

Nathan is meant to be going on holiday in June to the Dominican Republic, where his son is originally from – a trip that is expected to cost £4,000.

Empty envelope.
The envelope was returned but appears to have been opened by a knife or letter opener (Picture: Duncan Lomax)

In the UK, around 400,000 British passports are reported lost or stolen each year, according to government figures.

This means that more than 83,000 applications for emergency travel documents to replace lost or stolen UK passports were made between 2019 and 2023.

A lot of the time, passports are stolen from people while they are abroad, so the Foreign Office has teamed up with crime experts to advise people about how to avoid becoming a victim to passport theft.

Nathan continued: ‘I’ve spent at least 10 hours on the phone with various different organisations trying to get this resolved.

‘Some of the people I’ve talked to as well have been rude to me which makes the situation even more frustrating.

‘It’s taken up so much of my time now and it would be nice to get an apology or money back for this happening.’

Nathan stood by his front door.
Nathan said that he is looking for an apology (Picture: Duncan Lomax)

A Royal Mail spokesperson told Metro that items go through a whole network and process, through machines, automatic sorters, and eventually are manually handled.

They added there may be some few occasions where an item might be damaged like when a letter might get clipped and ripped by a letter sorting machine.

But what should usually happen is the item will be put into a ‘damage bag’ and then delivered.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: ‘We are sorry to hear of the customer’s experience. This issue has been escalated and we will be carrying out searches at the relevant delivery offices and mail centres.’

Nathan stood with empty envelope by his front door.
Both Royal Mail and HMRC Childcare Services have offered their apologies to Nathan (Picture: Duncan Lomax)

A HMRC spokesperson told Metro: ‘We’re sorry to learn about this issue Mr Nethercot has faced.

‘We’ve advised him to contact the postal service and offered to reimburse him for the cost of the passport.’

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police added to Metro: ‘On Friday (21 March), we received a report of a theft in Sheffield.

‘It is reported that between 8am and 5pm on 18 March, a child’s passport was stolen from High Street, Sheffield.

‘Officers have spoken to the child’s parent and enquiries are ongoing.’

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Parents arrested after complaining about school in WhatsApp group https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/29/parents-arrested-complaining-school-whatsapp-group-22815285/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/29/parents-arrested-complaining-school-whatsapp-group-22815285/#respond Sat, 29 Mar 2025 19:32:43 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22815285
Maxie Allen and Rosalind Levine with their daughters, Sascha, nine, and Francesca, three SIMON JACOBS FOR THE TIMES Images provided as part of press release issued by Times Radio
Maxie Allen and Rosalind Levine were arrested on suspicion of harassment and malicious communications at their home on January 29 (Picture: Times Radio/Simon Jacobs for The Times)

A mum and dad say they were locked up for 11 hours after they complained about the recruitment process at their daughter’s school on WhatsApp.

Maxie Allen and Rosalind Levine were arrested on suspicion of harassment and malicious communications at their home on January 29.

Five weeks later, Hertfordshire Police confirmed there was no case against them.

Video footage shows the moment the pair were led away by six police officers in front of their crying three-year-old daughter Francesca.

The drama started in May last year when Mr Allen, a former governor at the school, questioned why an open recruitment process was not carried out, six months after the headteacher at Cowley Hill Primary School in Borehamwood had announced his retirement.

He hoped there would be a meeting to discuss it but his worries were left unanswered.

Jackie Spriggs, chair of governors, then told parents that ‘inflammatory and defamatory’ comments had been seen on social media.

She warned that the school would take action against anyone who caused ‘disharmony’.

It was then that Mr Allen and Ms Levine were banned from the school for ‘casting aspersions,’ according to Mrs Spriggs.

This meant they missed their daughter’s parents evening and also a Christmas performance by her.

The parents then contacted the school over Sascha’s needs because she has epilepsy, is neurodivergent and registered disabled.

An officer issued a warning to the family in December, and told them to take Sascha out of school, which they did the next month, a week before the arrests.

Mr Allen has accused the school of trying to ‘silence parents’.

Maxie Allen and Rosalind Levine MUST CREDIT SIMON JACOBS FOR THE TIMES Images provided as part of press release issued by Times Radio
Video footage shows the moment the pair were led away by six police officers in front of their crying three-year-old daughter (Picture: Times Radio/Simon Jacobs for The Times)

‘I was just in complete disbelief,’ he said.

‘It was just unfathomable to me that things had escalated to this degree.

‘It was absolutely nightmarish. I couldn’t believe this was happening, that a public authority could use the police to close down a legitimate inquiry.

‘We’d never used abusive or threatening language, even in private, and always followed due process. Yet we have never even been told what these communications were that were supposedly criminal, which is completely Kafkaesque.

‘I believe the school tried to use the police to close down legitimate inquiries, and for some reason the constabulary played along.’

Other allegations against the couple included causing a nuisance on school property. 

But Mr Allen, a Times Radio producer, and Ms Levine, a television producer, both claim they didn’t step foot in the school since July.

Ms Levine recalled the events that happened and said: ‘I saw six police officers standing there. There were two cars and a police van. My first thought was that Sascha was dead. I could not think of any other reason why six police officers would be at my door. Francesca was cowering in the corner, she was terrified.’

A spokesperson for Cowley Hill Primary School said: ‘We sought advice from the police following a high volume of direct correspondence and public social media posts from two parents, as this was becoming upsetting for staff, parents and governors.

‘We’re always happy for parents to raise concerns, but we do ask that they do this in a suitable way, and in line with the school’s published complaints procedure.’

Hertfordshire Constabulary said: ‘Following reports of harassment and malicious communications, which are criminal offences, a man and a woman from Borehamwood, both aged in their 40s, were arrested on Wednesday 29 January.

‘The arrests were necessary to fully investigate the allegations as is routine in these types of matters.

‘Following further investigations, officers deemed that no further action should be taken due to insufficient evidence.

‘In relation to the police visit on 20 December, a complaint was submitted which was reviewed by our Professional Standards Department.

‘It was deemed that the service provided by officers was appropriate.’

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Woman dies on easyJet flight to UK despite passengers fighting to save her https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/29/woman-dies-easyjet-flight-uk-despite-passengers-fighting-save-22815286/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/29/woman-dies-easyjet-flight-uk-despite-passengers-fighting-save-22815286/#respond Sat, 29 Mar 2025 17:04:39 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22815286
easyJet Airbus flight.
The easyJet flight from Tenerife to Liverpool was forced to make an emergency landing in the north of Spain (Picture: PA Wire)

A woman has died on an easyJet flight from Tenerife to Liverpool, despite the efforts of passengers who tried to save her life.

She had a cardiac arrest on the flight that took off on March 25 and the woman, believed to be aged 67, collapsed mid-flight.

A nurse and two other passengers used CPR for 50 minute to try and save her.

The flight was diverted to an airport in northern Spain and the woman died before she could be treated.

Passengers were then taken off the flight that landed at Santiago–Rosalía de Castro airport and then police and paramedics boarded the plane.

One of the passengers who performed CPR on the woman told the Liverpool ECHO: ‘I spoke to her husband afterwards and just said I’m so sorry. We tried everything to keep her alive.

‘We tried our best but she died onboard the plane. I was with my wife, daughter and son-in-law when the staff asked for assistance.

‘The staff got an oxygen tank and a defibrillator while myself, a nurse and a physiotherapist took it in turns to perform CPR on the woman.

An easyJet passenger aircraft makes its landing approach to Gatwick Airport, with St Michael???s church spire seen nearby, after the UK government delivers a statement on airport expansion plans, Gatwick Airport, Crawley, Britain, February 27, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville
Passengers tried their best to save the woman on the flight (Picture: Reuters)

‘When we landed police, paramedics and the CID team came onto the plane before we all got off.’

An easyJet spokesperson said in a statement: ‘Flight EZY3366 from Tenerife to Liverpool on March 25 was required to divert to Santiago–Rosalía de Castro where it was met by paramedics due to a customer onboard requiring urgent medical attention.

‘The well-being of our passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority.

‘Our crew are trained to respond to medical issues and did everything possible during the flight, along with a medical professional who was assisting on board.

‘We have remained in contact with the family and are continuing to offer our support and assistance.’

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Full list of WH Smith store closures in 2025 after brand announces major update https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/29/full-list-wh-smith-store-closures-2025-brand-announces-major-update-22815180/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/29/full-list-wh-smith-store-closures-2025-brand-announces-major-update-22815180/#respond Sat, 29 Mar 2025 13:17:52 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22815180&preview=true&preview_id=22815180
epa11851397 A customer at a WHSmith store in London, Britain, 25 January 2025. British retailer WHSmith said it is exploring options to sell its entire high street business. WHSmith has more than five hundred stores across the UK and employs some five thousand people. EPA/ANDY RAIN
WH Smith has been part of the British high street since the late 18th century (Picture: EPA)

WH Smith, long the UK’s go-to for pens, Sudoku books and gifts, is closing down 10 branches in 2025 in another blow to the UK high street.

Eight branches have already been closed in Scotland, Kent, and Manchester this year as the historic retailer places 500 stores up for sale.

And now shoppers will be waving goodbye to even more in London, Manchester and the West Midlands.

The news comes as WH Smith is set to disappear from the high street street after being sold for £76 million.

The stationery brand, which was founded in 1792, has announced it is selling its shops to the owner of Hobbycraft, Modella Capital, and will eventually rebrand as TGJones.

The sale does not include the retailer’s locations in airports and train stations. The brand has also not been sold to Modella Capital.

WH Smith, which runs 1,100 stores, announced plans to open 110 new branches in airports, railway stations and hospitals.

In another move to revamp, the retailer will sell now trendy vinyl records after 30 years off the shelves. 76 of its stores will soon stock Toys R Us products – an iconic toy shop that disappeared almost a decade ago.

Closed WH Smith store.
Some WH Smith stores closed in 2024 and more are set to shut in 2025 (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

Which WH Smith stores have closed since 2024?

  • Alfreton, Derbyshire – January 2024
  • Ramsgate, Kent – January 2024
  • Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland – February 2024
  • Nantwich, South Cheshire – February 2024
  • Margate, Kent – April 2024
  • Bridgwater – September 2024
  • Sale, Manchester – September 2024
  • Bournemouth – October 2024
  • Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth – January 2025
  • Luton, Bedfordshire – January 18
  • March, Cambridgeshire – January 25
  • Basingstoke, Hampshire – February 1
  • Long Eaton – February 1
  • Newtown, Powys – February 15
  • Winton branch in Bournemouth, Dorset – February 15
  • Rhyl, Denbighshire – February 15
  • Bolton, Greater Manchester – February 15
  • Accrington, Lancashire – March 15

Full list of WH Smith stores closing in 2025

  • Halstead, Essex – April
  • Halesowen, West Midlands – April
  • Diss, Norfolk – April
  • Newport, Wales – April
  • Haverhill, Suffolk – April 26
  • Woolwich, London – April
  • Stockton, County Durham – May
  • Oldham, Greater Manchester – May
  • Bedford – July
  • Orpington, Greater London – no date given yet

WH Smith is not alone in shuttering stores. Last year, more than 13,000 high street shops closed for good, according to the Centre for Retail Research.

‘Halesowen is becoming a ghost town,’ said on Facebook user on the Dudley town’s WH Smith closing.

On the Diss closure, a local shopper added: ‘This is unfair for this town.’

An Oldham resident said: ‘Couldn’t make it up.’

Which stores are opening?

Some new stores are opening, however, as WH Smith moves away from the high street to travel hubs.

According to its accounts, travel sales grew by 15% over the same time frame compared to a 3% fall in revenue for its high street portfolio.

Revenue across the business rose 8% over the 20 weeks to January 20 compared to the same period the previous year.

File photo dated 16/1/2014 of a branch of WH Smith in central London. Retailer WH Smith has revealed sales at its high street estate remain under pressure just days after the group confirmed talks to sell the 500-strong chain. The firm said total high street sales dropped 6% in the 21 weeks to January 25, covering the key Christmas season, down 3% on a like-for-like basis. Issue date: Wednesday January 29, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story CITY WHSmith. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire
The historic retailer is focusing more on branches in train stations and other travel hubs (Picture: John Stillwell/PA Wire)

It previously pledged to open 15 stores in 2024, with an additional 15 after that ‘each year over the medium term.’

WH Smith CEO Carl Cowling told the BBC in 2023 that the newsagent spent £100 million opening new stores in airports and aimed to capture over 20% of the airport retail market over the next four years in the US and Europe.

Kate Hardcastle, chief executive of retail insights agency, Insight with Passion, added that airports and service stations were a ‘golden opportunity’ for WH Smith, after they had been ‘dwindling’ on High Streets.

‘As more of us now travel with technology we are all the more likely to forget essentials, all much more of a selling opportunity than the odd bottle of water.’

‘A retailer like WH Smith is going to see the value in investing and building a new captive airport audience than a challenged High Street,’ she added.

Which stores will stock vinyl?

Music fans will soon be able to pick up records in more than 80 WH Smith sites across the nation.

The newsagent initially stopped selling vinyls over thirty years ago, when demand for the product slowed.

But sales have increased since 2006 as some people pivoted to a more ‘vintage’ way of listening to music, while others switched from CDs to iTunes and streaming.

London, United Kingdom - February 05, 2019: Unknown man walks in front of WHSmith branch at London Luton airport. WHS is major British retailer selling mostly books, stationery, magazines newspapers.
The retailer is focusing more on its smaller travel hubs (Picture: Getty Images)

Sales for the classic music product grew for the 16th year in a row last year, with over six million sold.

Emma Smyth, commercial director of the newsagent said: ‘After thirty years vinyl is back at WH Smith.

‘I’m sure there are many customers out there who remember spending hours in record shops browsing the latest vinyl LPs and the artistic record covers.

‘It’s no surprise that vinyl is growing in popularity again, and we are very excited to be bringing back record selections to more than 80 different stores across the UK for both seasoned fans and new listeners alike,’ she added.

Where can you buy vinyl in WH Smith?

The full list of WH Smith locations where you can purchase a vinyl is as follows:

  • Berkhampstead
  • Bromley
  • Canterbury
  • Chester
  • Crawley
  • East Kilbride
  • Epsom
  • Exeter
  • Gloucester
  • Gyle
  • Henley
  • High Wycombe
  • Kingstonis
  • Lichfield
  • Marlborough
  • Monks Cross
  • Preston Deepdale
  • Romford
  • Salisbury
  • Watford
  • White City
  • York
  • Jersey
  • Perth
  • Stafford
  • Weston-super-Mare
  • Northallerton
  • Douglas
  • Scarborough
  • Buxton
  • Argyle Street
  • Beeston
  • Brecon
  • Brent Cross
  • Broughton Parc
  • Bury St Edmunds
  • Carlisle
  • Cirencester
  • Cribbs Causeway
  • Darlington
  • Bluewater Park
  • Deal
  • Dumfries
  • Elgin
  • Ely
  • Exmouth
  • Grantham
  • Great Yarmouth
  • Hamilton
  • Harpenden
  • Haslemere
  • Hastings
  • Havant
  • Haywards Heath
  • Hempstead Valley
  • Hereford
  • Honiton
  • Leighton Buzzard
  • Lewisham
  • Liverpool
  • Llanelli
  • Marlow
  • Monmouth
  • Morpeth
  • Newport (Isle of Wight)
  • Petersfield
  • Sevenoaks
  • Meadowhall
  • Southport
  • Southsea
  • Swanage
  • Taunton
  • Teesside Retail Park
  • Temple Fortune
  • Twickenham
  • Uckfield
  • Wallington
  • Warrington
  • Wimbledon
  • Witney

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Man, 19, arrested after teenage girl ‘sexually assaulted’ in church grounds https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/29/man-19-arrested-teenage-girl-sexually-assaulted-church-grounds-22814620/ Sat, 29 Mar 2025 11:47:41 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22814620
Church.
The attack is alleged to have happened in the grounds of St Andrew and St Cuthman Church in Steyning, Sussex

A teenage girl has been ‘sexually assaulted’ by a man in the grounds of a church.

The alleged incident happened at St Andrew and St Cuthman Church in Steyning, Sussex, around 9am Thursday.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and kidnapping.

He is currently in custody and the teenage girl is being supported by specialist officers.

Detective Inspector Andrew Ricks said: ‘This is a fast moving investigation and we have been working around the clock to establish the circumstances and to locate and detain the suspect.

‘We understand that members of the public may be alarmed and worried by this incident.

‘We have an enhanced police presence in the area so please speak to one of those officers if you have any concerns.’

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Girl, 4, who was killed alongside mum in house fire pictured for first time https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/29/three-people-dead-fire-breaks-kettering-home-22814894/ Sat, 29 Mar 2025 10:49:06 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22814894
Mayci left and Emma Conn right
Mayci and Mum Emma Conn died at the scene

A girl and her mum killed in a destructive house fire have been named and pictured for the first time.

Mayci Fox, four, died in the fire at a former station house in Rushton, Northamptonshire.

Her mother Emma Conn, 30, of Desborough, and Louie Thorn, 23, of Rushton, also died in the blaze on Friday night.

A man was arrested on suspicion of murder but he has since been released without charge.

Emma Conn and her daughter Mayci
The pair died alongside Louie Thorn, 23

Flames raged at the converted railway station in Beswick Close in Rushton at 10.30pm on Friday.

Mayci, Emma and Louie all died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services.

Three police officers were also taken to the hospital after inhaling smoke.

A 54-year-old man from the town of Kettering was arrested on suspicion of murder. He has since been released with no further action.

Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow described this as a ‘heartbreaking situation’, adding that an ‘incredibly thorough and complex’ investigation is underway.

‘My thoughts, and those of everyone involved in responding to this fire, are with the people who died and those who love them,’ he added.

Emergency services at a property in Beswick Close, Rushton after three people died in a house fire in a village near Kettering, police have said. Police, fire and ambulance services were called at around 10.30pm on Friday to reports of a large blaze at the property. Three people were later confirmed to have died, Northamptonshire Police said. Picture date: Saturday March 29, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story FIRE Rushton. Photo credit should read: Jacob King/PA Wire
Police, fire and ambulance services were called at around 10.30pm on Friday (Picture: Jacob King/PA Wire)

‘Due to the intensity of the fire we are managing a very challenging and dangerous scene, and are working with partners to safely and respectfully recover the deceased to enable formal identification to take place.

‘We know this incident has also caused significant distress within the Rushton community and I’d like to thank everyone for their assistance and patience while we continue our painstaking work.’

Pictures from the scene show the roof of the home entirely collapsed amid the flames.

A neighbour told the Northamptonshire Telegraph: ‘It’s absolutely shocking. My lad said it was on fire. There was a man who had tried to get in who was outside. It was just an inferno.

‘There were ambulance, police and fire. I don’t know the people who live there but all we can do is hope and pray.’

A cordon has been set up around the property while the investigation continues.

Floral tributes are left near a property in Beswick Close, Rushton after three people died in a house fire in a village near Kettering, police have said. Police, fire and ambulance services were called at around 10.30pm on Friday to reports of a large blaze at the property. Three people were later confirmed to have died, Northamptonshire Police said. Picture date: Saturday March 29, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story FIRE Rushton. Photo credit should read: Jacob King/PA Wire
Floral tributes are left near the home (Picture: Jacob King/PA Wire)

There are road closures in the area on Station Road between Desborough Road and Oakley Road, including roads off Station Road.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service added in a statement: ‘Emergency services remain at the scene of this fire and we’re asking people to continue to avoid the area, with road closures in place in Station Road between Desborough Road and Oakley Road.’

The house previously served as a train station, with a train line running behind the building.

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Lidl issues urgent recall of snack over risk of ‘fever and diarrhoea’ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/29/lidl-issues-urgent-recall-snack-risk-fever-diarrhoea-22814455/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/29/lidl-issues-urgent-recall-snack-risk-fever-diarrhoea-22814455/#respond Sat, 29 Mar 2025 08:17:40 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22814455
Lidl store.
The food recall affects a certain brand of pork scratchings sold at Lidl (Picture: Getty Images)

Lidl has issued a food recall for a brand of BBQ pork scratchings because of possible salmonella.

The food recall affects Sol & Mar Chicharricos BBQ Pork Scratchings sold in 100g packages.

This applies to products with best before dates ranging from August 5, 2025 through to August 12, 2025.

Salmonella can cause some serious health issues.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) explained in a statement: ‘Symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.’

Those most at risk from symptoms of salmonella include the elderly, infants, and those with weakened immune systems.

Customers in Lidl have been informed about the recall, with point of sale notices displayed throughout the store.

For people who have already bought the product, you are advised by the FSA not to eat them.

Lidl GB recalls Sol & Mar Chicharricos BBQ Pork Scratchings because of possible contamination with Salmonella
Lidl has recalled the Sol & Mar Chicharricos BBQ Pork Scratchings (Picture: FSA)

The product should instead be returned to your nearest Lidl store where a full refund will be issued.

Customers do not need to bring the receipt along for this.

A food recall is when potential contamination is identified in a product.

The affected product or products are then withdrawn from shelves and recalled from customers when there is a possible risk to consumer health.

It is the FSA that oversees this.

Other recent food recalls include a breakfast cereal that was pulled from supermarket shelves and issued with a ‘do not eat’ warning over fears it contained insects.

Rude Health’s Chocolate Crunch Granola was urgently recalled, according to the FSA.

An alert, posted on the FSA website, said the cereal may have been ‘infested with insects’.

A Japanese and Korean food brand recalled batches of its sushi ginger over fears it contains pieces of glass.

Kelly Loves, which sells products such as kimchi, noodles and sauces, urged people to return the jars as soon as possible.

The FSA, which issued the recall, said the affected product was sold in ASDA and Waitrose.

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Inside the £18,000,000 ‘ghost’ shopping centre that now stands empty https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/29/inside-18-000-000-ghost-shopping-centre-now-stands-empty-22812124/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/29/inside-18-000-000-ghost-shopping-centre-now-stands-empty-22812124/#respond Sat, 29 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22812124&preview=true&preview_id=22812124
The empty Festival Park shopping centre in Ebbw Vale, Wales.
The Festival Park shopping centre in Ebbw Vale, Wales, used to house big brand names like M&S, Nike, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Costa and Gap (Picture: Wales News Service)

It is no secret that the UK’s high streets and shopping centres are suffering right now with many stores shutting shop.

WH Smith, a staple of UK town centres, is set to become the latest chain to disappear from high streets after being sold for £76 million.

Modella Capital, its new owner, has said it will keep the Post Office outlets that operate in many branches, but will rebrand the high street chain as TGJones.

The rebranding will mark the end of an era, with the household name WH Smith eventually vanishing from UK high streets.

The Festival Park shopping centre in Ebbw Vale, Wales, has faced a similar fate.

The shopping centre, which is almost a microcosm for the state of our high street right now, has been unused for several years and right at the end, only one Sports Direct shop remained.

Other big brand names that left the park included M&S, Nike, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Costa and Gap.

Opened in 1992 for £18million by then Prince Charles, Dannii Minogue and Catherine Zeta Jones, the centre is a shadow of its former self.

The shopping centre was originally built with taxpayers money as part of the Conservative government’s national garden festivals, which involved developing derelict land in struggling areas.

It was sold to Mercia Real Estate Ltd in 2021 and there are now plans to transform the site into an industrial park.

It is the job of property consultancy Knight Frank to attract tenants to the completed centre.

A ghostly shopping centre dubbed the worst in Britain has been sold for a private investment boost - after being left with JUST ONE store. Shoppers say it is a "zombie-land" with lines of empty stores after more than 40 companies such as M&S, Nike, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Costa and Gap moved out in a retail slump. The Festival Park shopping centre was built with taxpayers money in Ebbw Vale, Gwent, but now has just a single Sports Direct store after independent traders moved out - and hardly a soul going there. It is a massive slump since it first opened in 1992 with Prince Charles, singer Dannii Minogue and actress Catherine Zeta Jones all turning up. The bustling shopping centre was heart of the Government national garden festivals with derelict land in struggling areas such as Liverpool, Glasgow and Gateshead transformed - with the ex-steelworks in Ebbw Vale getting massive public investment. WALES NEWS SERVICE
The centre is now a shadow of its former self after stores closed up shop (Picture: Wales News Service)
The empty Festival Park shopping centre in Ebbw Vale, Wales.
The site is planned to be transformed into an industrial park (Picture: Wales News Service)
Ghost shopping centre has just one open store Festival Park, Ebbw Vale, Gwent
The Festival Park is located in Ebbw Vale, Wales (Picture: Metro)
Charles, before he became the King, attending the National Garden Festival in Ebbw Vale, Wales.
Charles attending the National Garden Festival in Ebbw Vale, Wales(Picture: Tim Graham/Getty Images)

The new site is set to include a gym operator and a nursery for the occupiers of the units and residents in the area.

Neil Francis, head of Knight Frank’s industrial and logistics division in Wales, said: ‘The imaginative redevelopment of the Festival Park site, coupled with a willingness by the owners to be able to agree leases within a matter of weeks, will be an attractive proposition to local and national businesses.’

Samuel Clark, chief executive officer of Mercia Real Estate, added: ‘We are confident that the much-needed redevelopment of Festival Park will be an attractive proposition to new and existing businesses, and will provide a range of unit sizes to enable successful small businesses to expand over time without ever needing to leave the site to find larger premises.’

At the time of the shopping centre closure, shopper Megan Woods, 59, said: ‘It was amazing then – long queues to get in and a real buzz. It has its own fairground and even a talking moving clock. But now it is more like a zombie-land with no one here.

‘Something has gone very wrong somewhere that all that investment of taxpayers money was wasted. It was getting bad before the pandemic but now it is just ridiculous.’

A shopping centre dubbed the worst in Britain has no open stores - and is going to be "recycled" into something new after a host of top names moved out. Shoppers say it is a "zombie-land" with lines of empty stores after more than 40 companies such as M&S, Nike, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Costa and Gap moved out in a retail slump. The Festival Park shopping centre was built with taxpayers money in Ebbw Vale, Gwent, in 1992 with Prince Charles, singer Dannii Minogue and actress Catherine Zeta Jones all turning up. It was left with just a single Sports Direct store after independent traders moved out - but even that has now closed because hardly a soul was going there. Pictured here is empty shops in the centre WALES NEWS SERVICE
The site opened in 1992 for £18million by then Prince Charles, Dannii Minogue and Catherine Zeta Jones (Picture: Wales News Service)

Locals blamed lack of investment and planning.

Shop owner Kim Maguire moved out of the shopping centre to the high street – even though her John Jenkins gift shop was one of the original stores on the site.

She said: ‘I still regularly hear from customers about how much they miss Festival Park though, and how shocked they all are at what has happened to it over the last few years.

‘It still feels quite surreal to be honest, even now a year down the line.

‘It was a sad day when it closed for me as a business and for the community as a whole. Everyone who worked there misses it as well, though we are now in a larger shop further towards the centre of town.’

Kelvin Morgan once ran a fresh fruit and veg shop at the centre and said: ‘It used to be so beautiful over there with all the flower gardens and shops so to see it as it is now is very sad.

‘I even remember the excitement when it opened as the Garden Festival, and you used to have hundreds of people over there when it first changed to a shopping centre after that.’

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Student with ‘rage’ against women jailed for life over Bournemouth beach murder https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/28/criminology-student-jailed-39-years-killing-woman-random-beach-attack-22810492/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/28/criminology-student-jailed-39-years-killing-woman-random-beach-attack-22810492/#respond Fri, 28 Mar 2025 12:21:18 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22810492

Up Next

A criminology student with a ‘rage’ against women and desire to ‘make them feel afraid’ has been jailed for stabbing a mum to death and trying to murder her friend on Bournemouth beach.

Nasen Saadi, of Croydon, south London, killed 34-year-old physical trainer Amie Gray and seriously wounded her friend Leanne Miles as the pair were enjoying a late-night chat next to a small fire at the Dorset seaside resort on May 24 last year.

The 21-year-old had collected knives and researched locations to carry out the killing and had even asked his course lecturers questions on how to get away with murder.

The judge, Mrs Justice Cutts, said Saadi had denied his guilt because he wanted the ‘notoriety of a trial’ and had a ‘complete lack of remorse’.

Jailing him for at least 39 years, she said: ‘The clear evidence is you planned to kill and went to Bournemouth to do so.

‘I am satisfied that you chose Amie Gray and Leanne Miles because you have a grievance against society as a whole and women in particular.’

She added: ‘It seems you have felt humiliated and rejected for any advances you have made towards girls, which has led over time to a deeply suppressed rage towards society and women in particular.

‘You developed an obsessional fascination with violence, horror, crime and the mind of those who kill; and a deep seated urge for revenge against society.

Up Next

‘In [the psychiatrist]’s view you identified yourself with the mind of a killer because you wished to feel the power of which you felt society had robbed you by rejecting and humiliating you.

‘The idea of being a recognised as a dangerous killer became appealing to you. It was with that mindset that you killed Aimee Grey and attempted to kill Leanne Miles.’

This Is Not Right

On November 25, 2024 Metro launched This Is Not Right, a year-long campaign to address the relentless epidemic of violence against women.

With the help of our partners at Women's Aid, This Is Not Right aims to shine a light on the sheer scale of this national emergency.

You can find more articles here, and if you want to share your story with us, you can send us an email at vaw@metro.co.uk.

Read more:

The judge said the attack was ‘utterly senseless’ and added: ‘I have no doubt you are an extremely dangerous young man and will remain so.’

Prosecutor Sarah Jones KC said the crime came after ‘weeks of research and planning’.

She said it seemed Saadi ‘wanted to know what it would be like to take life’.

Up Next

Saadi had travelled from his home in Croydon and told police it was a case of ‘mistaken identity’.

The court heard how he once asked a lecturer about pleading self-defence to murder, to which the lecturer replied: ‘You’re not planning a murder, are you?’

He stayed for a four-night stay in Bournemouth starting May 21 and was shown on CCTV carrying out ‘recces’ of the seafront and the scene of the murder, which happened at about 11.40pm on May 24.

Ms Gray tried to distract Saadi while he was attacking Ms Miles, shouting ‘get away’, allowing her friend to flee.

EDITORS NOTE IMAGE BLURRED AT SOURCE Undated family handout photo issued by Dorset Police of Amie Gray, 34, from Poole, who was murdered at Durley Chine Beach, West Undercliff Promenade on May 24. The trial is set to start on Thursday at Winchester Crown Court for 20-year-old Nasen Saadi, who has been accused of the murder of Amie Gray and the attempted murder of a second woman on Bournemouth seafront. Issue date: Thursday December 5, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story COURTS Bournemouth. Photo credit should read: Dorset Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Amie Gray, 34, from Poole, who was murdered at Durley Chine Beach, West Undercliff Promenade on May 24 (Picture: Dorset Police/PA Wire)

In a victim impact statement, Amie Gray’s mother, Sharon Macklin, said: ‘Since Amie was taken from us it is like the lights have been dimmed and we cannot get the power to go back up.’

She said her daughter’s funeral was a ‘sea of blue’ which had been Amie’s favourite colour.

‘It was amazing to see how many hearts Amie had touched in her life.

‘She had recently been made a head coach at Dorset Futsal, which she loved and she received an award for this which made her so proud.

‘She had just started to plan a new work venture and on the day of her murder had secured her first customers, which made her so excited.

‘This has made it so much harder for us to deal with as a family, we have all struggled to come to terms with her death and most of all the horrendous way she died.’

Undated family handout photo issued by Dorset Police of Sian Grey (right) with her wife, Amie Grey. Nasen Saadi, 20, has been found guilty at Winchester Crown Court of the murder of 34-year-old Amie Gray on Bournemouth beach and the attempted murder of Leanne Miles. Issue date: Wednesday December 18, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story COURTS Bournemouth. Photo credit should read: Dorset Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Sian Grey (right) told the court she should ‘not have to hold my deceased wife’s cold hand’ (Picture: Dorset Police/PA Wire)

Another victim impact statement read out on behalf of Sian Gray, Amie’s wife, said she’s ‘not the person I was before’.

‘At the age of 36, I should not have to hold my deceased wife’s cold hand, nor should my daughter have to say goodbye and grieve over a coffin,’ she said.

‘Our tragedy has been a public display for all to see.

‘Amie’s beautiful life has now been reduced to forever being remembered as “the Murder Victim”.’

She added in an interview to the BBC: ‘She didn’t die on that beach, she still lives on.

‘I don’t want hate to consume me. Amie wouldn’t want us to stop our lives or be living in the shadows.

‘For me, him getting the justice he deserves is important.

‘I wanted to see him and him to look at me, to know the pain that he’s caused and the lives that he’s ruined.’

The trial also heard how Saadi was ‘fascinated’ with knives and had bought six blades from websites, several of which found at his aunt’s house where he was living as well as at his parents’ home.

He had also carried out searches on about the Milly Dowler and Brianna Ghey killings.

Charles Sherrard KC, defending, said Saadi was a ‘social misfit’ that went under the radar.

Judge Mrs Justice Cutts said to Saadi in court : ‘Your preparations included finding the right location to murder someone and to avoid detection.

Undated handout photo issued by Dorset Police of 21-year-old criminology student Nasen Saadi, who is set to be jailed for life when he is sentenced on Friday for the murder of Amie Gray and attempted murder of Leanne Miles on Bournemouth beach. He is to be sentenced at Winchester Crown Court after the judge, Mrs Justice Cutts, ordered sentencing reports on Saadi when he was found guilty following a trial in December. Issue date: Friday March 28, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story COURTS Bournemouth. Photo credit should read: Dorset Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Saadi repeatedly stabbed both Amie Gray and Leanne Miles in a random attack (Picture: Dorset Police/PA Wire)

‘You had also clearly decided the beach was the place to locate your victim.

‘You were clearly thinking of how to approach and run from your victim.

‘You chose Amie Gray and Leanne Miles because you had a grievance of society as a whole, and of women.

‘No doubt you thought you had committed the perfect crime.’

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Moment Sindbad submarine starts to sink with tourists standing on the top deck https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/28/moment-sindbad-submarine-starts-sink-tourists-standing-top-deck-22808746/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/28/moment-sindbad-submarine-starts-sink-tourists-standing-top-deck-22808746/#respond Fri, 28 Mar 2025 09:41:40 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22808746

Up Next

This is the terrifying moment panic erupted on board the Egyptian submarine that sank in the Red Sea.

The bodies of six passengers were pulled to the coast of Hurghada, a city on the Red Sea coast, after ‘Sindbad’ capsized at around 10am yesterday.

Out of the six who died, two were children and all on board were Russian citizens, according to TASS news agency.

Four other people are in a critical condition and are fighting for their lives in hospital. The cause of the incident is still unclear.

The footage shows that the submarine started to sink as tourists were getting on board and standing on the top deck.

Screams and shouts in Russian can then be heard before the video ends surrounded by water.

Submarine sinking.
Tourists could be seen standing on the top deck of the submarine

Anaesthetist Ravil Valiullin, 40, and his wife Kristina, 39, a children’s doctor, were killed on the vessel, while daughters – aged 10 and 15 – survived and are now in hospital.

One of the survivors, a tourist named Regina, was with her two children, nine and ten.

‘We were saved by the fact that we were on the top of the submarine, we did not have time to go inside,’ she said.

‘We were queuing at the boarding, when the submarine began to sink into the water.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Xinhua/Shutterstock (15225897b) This photo taken on March 27, 2025 shows the rescue site for a sunken tourist submarine in Red Sea off the coast of Hurghada, Egypt. At least six people were killed and nine others injured on Thursday when a tourist submarine sank in Egypt's Red Sea during a trip in the resort city of Hurghada, an official source at the Red Sea Governorate told Xinhua. Five of the injured are in critical condition, while 29 other passengers were rescued and returned to their hotels, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Egypt Red Sea Hurghada Tourist Submarine Sinking - 27 Mar 2025
Four of the injured are in critical condition, while 29 other passengers were rescued and returned to their hotels (Picture: Shutterstock)

‘The Egyptian who was responsible for loading shouted “Stop, stop!” but naturally no one inside heard him.

‘He shouted to us “Faster, faster, go to the pontoon” from which people were boarding.’

She told Baza media outlet: ‘We pushed the children out. I tried to swim away from the submarine. I was afraid that I would be pulled under it because of the currents.

‘I swam away, sat on the structures that were built around the pontoon so that they could moor here. From there I moved to the pontoon itself.’

A handout picture provided by the Red Sea Governorate Media office on March 27, 2025, shows Red Sea governor Amr Hanafi (C) visiting a hospitalised tourist, after a submarine carrying dozens of passengers sank the resort town of Hurghada on Egypt's Red Sea coast. Hanafi, said "39 foreign tourists had been rescued and six others killed, with no one missing," according to a statement shared by his office, confirming that the six tourists were Russian. (Photo by Red Sea Governorate Media office / AFP) / === RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO / Red Sea Governorate Media office " - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS === (Photo by -/Red Sea Governorate Media office /AFP via Getty Images)
Red Sea governor Amr Hanafi (centre) visits one of the tourists who survived (Picture: Red Sea Governorate Media office/AFP)

Red Sea governor Amr Hanafy said yesterday that the submarine had a valid licence and that the crew had all obtained the correct certificates.

According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, the submarine hit a reef and subsequently lost pressure at a depth of 20 metres.

The group on board had paid for a sea trip to inspect the coral reefs in the Red Sea, which is infested with sharks.

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Crew of Sindbad submarine that sank in Hurghada, Egypt, questioned by police https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/28/crew-sindbad-submarine-sank-hurghada-egypt-questioned-police-22808001/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/28/crew-sindbad-submarine-sank-hurghada-egypt-questioned-police-22808001/#respond Fri, 28 Mar 2025 08:59:18 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22808001
The rescue site for a sunken tourist submarine in Red Sea off the coast of Hurghada, Egypt.
The rescue site for the tourist submarine that sank off the coast of Hurghada (Picture: Shutterstock)

The crew members on board a submarine that sank in the Red Sea and killed six people have been questioned by Egyptian authorities.

The bodies of six passengers were pulled to the coast of Hurghada, a city on the Red Sea coast, after ‘Sindbad’ capsized at around 10am yesterday.

Out of the six who died, two were children and all on board were Russian citizens, according to TASS news agency.

Anaesthetist Ravil Valiullin, 40, and his wife Kristina, 39, a children’s doctor, were killed on the vessel, while daughters – aged 10 and 15 – survived and are now in hospital.

Four other people are in a critical condition and are fighting for their lives in hospital. The cause of the incident is still unclear.

Red Sea governor Amr Hanafy said yesterday that the submarine had a valid licence and that the crew had all obtained the correct certificates.

According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, the submarine hit a reef and subsequently lost pressure at a depth of 20 metres.

Up Next

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Xinhua/Shutterstock (15225897b) This photo taken on March 27, 2025 shows the rescue site for a sunken tourist submarine in Red Sea off the coast of Hurghada, Egypt. At least six people were killed and nine others injured on Thursday when a tourist submarine sank in Egypt's Red Sea during a trip in the resort city of Hurghada, an official source at the Red Sea Governorate told Xinhua. Five of the injured are in critical condition, while 29 other passengers were rescued and returned to their hotels, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Egypt Red Sea Hurghada Tourist Submarine Sinking - 27 Mar 2025
At least six people were killed and nine others injured yesterday (Picture: Shutterstock)

The group on board had paid for a sea trip to inspect the coral reefs in the Red Sea, which is infested with sharks.

According to Sindbad Submarines’ website, the submarine has portholes which allow passengers to see the Red Sea’s coral reefs.

The area where it capsized was in front of the marina of one of the famous hotels in Hurghada.

Tourist trips have been run on the Sindbad for several years, but it is unclear if there are previous incidents on record.

Egypt has always been a popular holiday destination for Russians.

Hurghada is located to the south east of the capital Cairo, and is known for its coral reefs and beaches.

Hurghada
Hurghada is located to the south east of the capital Cairo (Picture: Datawrapper)

This is not the first time an incident like this has happened in the Red Sea.

In late November 2024, five people were found alive after a wave smashed into their yacht, causing it to capsize off Egypt’s Red Sea coast.

11 people died in the tragedy, when the boat, reportedly called ‘Sea Story’, was carrying 44 passengers when it capsized at around 5.30 am.

Survivors cited by local media say that the boat capsized in about five to seven minutes.

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WH Smith name to disappear from the high street after £76,000,000 sale https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/28/wh-smith-name-disappear-high-street-76-000-000-sale-22807998/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/28/wh-smith-name-disappear-high-street-76-000-000-sale-22807998/#respond Fri, 28 Mar 2025 07:51:34 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22807998
WHSmith store.
WHSmith has agreed to sell UK high street shops and is set for rebrand (Picture: Getty Images)

One of the UK’s most recognisable high street names, WH Smith, is set to disappear from the high street after being sold for £76 million.

The stationery brand, which was found in 1792, has announced it is selling its shops to the owner of Hobbycraft, Modella Capital, and will eventually rebrand as TGJones.

The sale does not the retailer’s locations in airports and train stations. The brand has also not been sold to Modella Capital.

All the approximately 480 stores and 5,000 staff working for the high street businesses will move under Modella Capital’s ownership as part of the deal.

Group chief executive Carl Cowling said: ‘As we continue to deliver on our strategic ambition to become the leading global travel retailer, this is a pivotal moment for WHSmith as we become a business exclusively focused on travel.

‘As our travel business has grown, our UK high street business has become a much smaller part of the WHSmith Group.

‘High Street is a good business; it is profitable and cash generative with an experienced and high-performing management team.

‘However, given our rapid international growth, now is the right time for a new owner to take the high street business forward and for the WHSmith leadership team to focus exclusively on our travel business. I wish the High Street team every success.’

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Maureen McLean/Shutterstock (15186473c) A WHSmith store in Windsor, Berkshire. High Street stationers WHSmith which was established in 1792, are reported to be considering selling their 500 stores across the UK. Approximately 5,000 employees work across the WHSmith estate. Potential bidders are reported to be Modella Capital or Alter WHSmith High Street Stores Possible Sale, Windsor, Berkshire, UK - 09 Mar 2025
WH Smith will instead focus on its business operations on travel (Picture: Shutterstock)

Julie Fisher, UK CEO of Simply Business, told Metro: ‘The news surrounding WH Smith is a stark reminder of the challenges facing businesses in the UK.

‘Sadly, it feels like we are witnessing a gradual erosion of the high street, as established businesses grapple with tough trading conditions.’

She said this is also having an impact on smaller businesses as well and added: ‘While large retailers face significant hurdles, small businesses bear the brunt too.

‘This situation is set to be exacerbated by the raft of new taxes coming into effect next month.’

She said this means almost half of small businesses will increase their prices to cope with rising costs and almost a quarter will cancel hiring plans.

‘This deals a significant blow to the government’s hopes for increasing employment in the UK,’ she said.

‘These small businesses form the heart of our communities, and their potential loss has far-reaching consequences.

‘It’s crucial that we acknowledge these challenges and work together to support our high streets.’

WH Smith has already closed 16 high street stores in the UK since 2024, and it has another 10 planned this year.

Last year was one of the worst ever recorded for the British high street, with over 13,000 store closures from big brands reported.

WH Smith’s high street revenues dropped 3% in the 21 weeks to January 25, compared to the same period the year before.

The rest of the business experienced growth in that time, with the travel retail business generating 85% of profits.

Around 200 of WH Smith’s high street stores also have post offices.

Many high street stores across the country at the moment are struggling, with others facing closure including 100 New Look stores, and a selection of Greggs, Trespass and Dobbies branches.

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On-duty police officer caught on video urinating in woman’s front garden https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/27/on-duty-police-officer-caught-video-urinating-womans-front-garden-22800659/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/27/on-duty-police-officer-caught-video-urinating-womans-front-garden-22800659/#respond Thu, 27 Mar 2025 16:08:56 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22800659

Up Next

This is the moment an on-duty police officer appears to urinate in a woman’s front garden.

The six-second video was filmed by Hannah Condick in Taunton, Devon, who posted it on Facebook earlier this week.

It shows the police officer with his back to the camera appearing to relieve himself by the woman’s garden fence.

He also takes a sneaky look around as well, just to make sure that nobody is watching him.

Hannah said on Facebook:  ‘Support your local police force guys… I believe that’s a charge and a fine? Avon and Somerset Police top job guys.

‘Oh, my apologies, I forgot to add on that this actually took place at the scene of a very “serious crime” also.’

Police officer urinating.
Hannah captured the police officer by her fence in her front garden (Picture: Hannah Condick)

Avon and Somerset Police commented under the article: ‘Thank you for tagging us into this video and bringing this incident to our attention.

‘We have forwarded this video to our Professional Standards Department for review.’

The force said the officer in question has given an account of what he did to the professional standards team.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: ‘We are aware a video has been posted on social media relating to the behaviour of one of our officers within a private garden in Taunton.

‘Our Professional Standards Department was immediately notified after this was raised with us. A public complaint has been received.

‘The officer in the video has been identified internally and he has given an initial account around the circumstances.

Police officer filmed urinating in front garden.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed he has given an account of what happened to professional standards department (Picture: Hannah Condick)

‘We understand the incident took place over the weekend while the officer was on duty.

‘We’d please respectfully ask people do not begin to speculate around the events that led up to this incident while our professional standards review is ongoing.

‘We expect the highest level of professionalism and diligence from all our officers and staff when on duty and would like to reassure the public this incident is being looked into.’

If urinating in public has caused harassment, alarm, or distress, somebody will be issued with a fine.

On the spot fines can also be issued, depending on which local authority it happens in.

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Commuters facing severe delays across London Underground’s Northern and Central lines https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/27/severe-rush-hour-delays-across-tube-network-waterloo-closure-signal-failures-22800533/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/27/severe-rush-hour-delays-across-tube-network-waterloo-closure-signal-failures-22800533/#respond Thu, 27 Mar 2025 07:36:34 +0000
Underground sign with people walking.
There are major delays across some tube lines this morning across London (Picture: In Pictures via Getty Images)

Passengers travelling on the London Underground faced disruption this morning after delays.

Several Tube lines were hampered by severe delays this morning, causing grey hairs to commuters trying to get to work.

Waterloo station was closed at about 6am due to a fire alert, but it has since reopened.

The Northern line is seeing severe delays due to an earlier customer incident, which has seen been downgraded to minor delays.

Meanwhile, the Central line continues to have minor delays on the entire line after an earlier signal failure at Shepherd’s Bush.

A view of a London Underground sign.
People have also been reporting issues during their commute this morning on social media (Picture: SOPA Images via Getty Images)

Morning rush hour delays on the District and Bakerloo lines have been resolved.

One frustrated passenger posted on X earlier: ‘The one day I need to go in and the District line is moving mad. No trains, cancellations everywhere. I need to be in Essex for 8:30 but TfL said, “Not today.” Now red light and stuck in the tunnel.’

Other people using the Central line reported gaps of almost 15 minutes between services this morning.

Sophia posted: ‘WHY AM I WAITING 14 MINUTES FOR A CENTRAL LINE TUBE AT 7:30AM ON A THURSDAY.’

Asim Qamar is less than impressed and wrote: ‘New day, same old s****y Central Line.’

A user called OT pointed out: ‘Oh what a surprise there’s signal failure on the Central line.’

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Charles Bronson ‘calls up pub to sing Frank Sinatra’ during karaoke night https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/26/charles-bronson-calls-pub-sing-frank-sinatra-karaoke-night-22793493/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/26/charles-bronson-calls-pub-sing-frank-sinatra-karaoke-night-22793493/#respond Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:51:32 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22793493
Charles Bronson and a karaoke night.
The karaoke night was held at the Hilderthorpe pub in Bridlington and was organised by Julie Shaw (Picture: REX)

The UK’s longest serving prisoner, Charles Bronson,took part in a pub karaoke from behind bars, it has been claimed.

The 72-year-old, who is locked up in HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, performed a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s My Way, to pub goers at the Hilderthorpe pub in Bridlington on Saturday.

Bronson dedicated the song to Ronnie Kray, an infamous London gangster.

Julie Shaw, who is the ghostwriter of Bronson’s book, Charles Bronson – Inside and Out, and who hosts the pub’s karaoke night, is the person who organised the sing-a-long.

She posted on Facebook: ‘For the first time ever, Britain’s longest serving prisoner, Charles Bronson, is going to sing live from his maximum security prison, over the phone, to entertain the customers.

‘Let’s have you all down there to show your support. 9.00pm he will sing I did it my way! No prisoner in history has ever done this before and the press will be there to capture it.’

It was complete silence in the pub while people listened to Bronson sing, in footage shared with The Mirror.

But once he had finished singing, he was greeted with a round of applause.

Charles Bronson headshot.
Bronson was jailed in 1974 for armed robbery and wounding and has a long history of violence (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)
Karaoke Charles Bronson night.
The karaoke night proved to be a success for the pubgoers (Picture: Facebook)

He ended his song by telling everybody ‘all the best to everybody, I love you all’.

Charles Bronson’s real name is Michael Peterson and he was initially jailed in 1974 for armed robbery and wounding.

Since then he has spent most of his life in prison due to a history of violent offences.

These include hostage-taking incidents and attacks on prison staff and other inmates. 

Because of this, his original sentence has been extended multiple times.

Charles Bronson pictured outside prison in 2001.
Charles Bronson pictured outside Woodhill Prison Chapel in 2001 (Picture: Shutterstock)

Bronson was handed a discretionary life sentence with a minimum term of four years in 2000, for taking a prison teacher at HMP Hull hostage for 44 hours.

The parole board has repeatedly refused to agree to him being released.

He is now 72-years-old and has spent periods detained in various prisons including Rampton, Broadmoor and Ashworth.

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Machete fight breaks out between rival gangs in front of commuters https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/26/rival-gangs-machetes-fight-tube-station-platform-front-commuters-22793694/ Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:35:46 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22793694

Sorry, this video isn't available any more.

Rival gang members were caught swinging machetes as they tried to stab each other in front of commuters on a platform in London.

Video footage recorded by a passenger on a Jubilee line train at Queensbury tube station shows two people in a group of five threatening each other with the long blades.

The violence broke out at 5.30 pm on Monday and officers from British Transport Police attended the scene.

In the video, one of the group seen wearing a black jacket and grey hat aims a machete at another in the group who is also dressed all in black.

A bottle is then chucked across by somebody else involved before two of them continue lunging at one another.

In total, five were involved in the fight which happened in broad daylight but only two were seen carrying the knives in the video.

Machete-wielding thugs try to stab gang rival on Tube platform picture: no credit sourced via FACEBOOK
The group could be seen fighting at Queensbury tube station (Picture: Facebook)

In the background, a tube passenger can be heard saying: ‘This is stupid’.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a knife.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: ‘Officers were called to Queensbury underground station at 5.30pm (24 March) to reports of a fight involving knives on the platform.

‘Officers attended and one boy aged 16 was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article and possession of a drug (Class B).

Machete-wielding thugs try to stab gang rival on Tube platform picture: no credit sourced via FACEBOOK
A 16-year-old boy was arrested by police at the scene (Picture: Facebook)

‘Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to get in touch by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040 quoting reference 490 of 24/03/25.’

Reports like this involving knife crime are on the rise in the capital.

London saw a 16% rise in knife crime in the year ending September 2024, the equivalent to a 14-year high of 15,859 offences.

The previous Home Secretary, James Cleverly, wrote a letter to Mayor Sadiq Khan in January 2024, and blamed London’s rising knife crime rate for driving an increase across England and Wales.

But City Hall hit back and said it was a ‘desperate attack’ to draw attention away from the government’s underfunding of policing in London at the time.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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22793694
Inside Prince Harry’s row with Sentebale charity chair Dr Sophie Chandauka https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/26/prince-harry-quit-charity-founded-22793491/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/26/prince-harry-quit-charity-founded-22793491/#respond Wed, 26 Mar 2025 08:00:51 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22793491

Up Next

Prince Harry has quit as patron of his charity Sentebale after a row between the chair of its board and the trustees.

Harry has stepped down alongside his co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and Sentebale’s board of trustees.

The relationship between the chair Dr Sophie Chandauka, and the trustees ‘broke down beyond repair’, it is understood.

She has reported the charity to the UK Charity Commission and sued them after trustees questioned whether she was best placed to be chair, The Times reports.

Dr Chandauka says she has ‘blown the whistle’ about ‘abuse of power’ and ‘harassment’, and said her work was ‘in pursuit of the integrity of the organisation’.

Why has Prince Harry resigned from the charity?

Prince Harry looks on.
Prince Harry founded the charity Sentebale in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho (Picture: Reuters)

The princes said in a joint statement: ‘With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as Patrons of the organisation until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same.

‘It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation.

‘These trustees acted in the best interest of the charity in asking the chair to step down, while keeping the wellbeing of staff in mind.

‘In turn, she sued the charity to remain in this voluntary position, further underscoring the broken relationship.’

Prince Harry in Johannesburg
Harry attends a Sentebale reception and panel discussion at The Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg (Picture: Getty Images for Sentebale)

The statement adds that the princes would be ‘sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about’.

The former trustees, Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Dr Kelello Lerotholi and Damian West, said in their statement that the decision is ‘nothing short of devastating’ for all of them.

They added in the statement: ‘This was not a choice willingly made, but rather something we felt forced into in order to look after the charity.’

Who is Dr Sophie Chandauka and why has she sued the charity?

Dr Sophie Chandauka is the Chair of Sentebale and is refusing to step down from the role.

Dr Chandauka said in her statement: ‘There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people, and then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct.’

She added this was the ‘story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir – and the coverup that ensued’.

Sophie Chandauka pictured having a headshot.
Sentebale Chair Sophie Chandauka pictured during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge (Picture: PA Wire)

Dr Sophie Chandauka's statement in full

‘I chose to join Sentebale first and foremost as a proud African who understands that, in the spirit of ubuntu: to whom much is given, much is expected. Everything I do at Sentebale is in pursuit of the integrity of the organisation, its mission, and the young people we serve.

‘My actions are guided by the principles of fairness and equitable treatment for all, regardless of social status or financial means. There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people, and then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct.

‘Discerning readers will ask themselves: why would the Chair of the Board report her own Trustees to the Charity Commission? Why would the High Court of England and Wales accept her application to hear the matter at all if the case had no merit?

‘Well, because beneath all the victim narrative and fiction that has been syndicated to press is the story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir – and the coverup that ensued. I could be anyone.

‘I just happen to be an educated woman who understands that the law will guide and protect me. I will say nothing further on this matter at this time. I have one job. I must focus on fundraising for the very important work of the young people who inspire the incredible team at Sentebale who make sacrifices daily at a time when geopolitics is severely impacting funding for development work in Africa.

‘For me, this is not a vanity project from which I can resign when I am called to account. I am an African who has had the privilege of a worldclass education and career. I will not be intimidated. I must stand for something. I stand for those other women who do not have the ways and means.

‘I am indebted to those who have stood by me and picked up my urgent call for help so that we can continue the mission at Sentebale. I will continue to faithfully perform my role as Chair of the Board, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with others who are interested in issues of health, wealth and climate resilience for young people in Africa.’

What is the Sentebale charity?

Sentebale was founded by Harry in 2006 and aimed to address the impact HIV and Aids has on young people living in Botswana and Lesotho.

Harry set it up with Prince Seeiso, whose mother died in 2003, after he visited Lesotho during his gap year.

The geographical focus of the charity centres on Lesotho and Botswana and part of the row focusses around a decision to focus fundraising largely in Africa.

What have royal experts said?

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliam told Metro that Prince Harry will be taking this news personally because of his deep affinity to Africa.

He said: ‘Harry is deeply committed to Sentebale so I was shocked to hear the news this morning.

‘It is significant to him because he has worked to lift the stigma surrounding HIV and Aids in some of the poorest countries in Africa.

‘The charity is also close to his heart because it was founded in his mother’s Diana’s memory.

‘His involvement in the charity and with Africa is profound so he will be feeling this loss deeply.

‘It certainly seems like there could be a lengthy court battle ahead and more details could potentially emerge but only time will tell.

‘In terms of how it will impact Harry’s public image, that depends on what is yet to come.’

What’s next for the charity?

A spokesman for Sentebale said: ‘We are pleased to confirm the restructuring of our board on 25 March 2025 to introduce experts with the capabilities and networks to accelerate Sentebale’s transformation agenda as announced last year.

‘In April 2024, Sentebale signalled its evolution from a development organisation focused on addressing the impact of HIV/Aids on the lives of children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana, to one that is addressing issues of youth health, wealth and climate resilience in Southern Africa.

‘Our highly successful Return to Southern Africa campaign with prospective international funders in October 2024 demonstrated Sentebale’s potential in these domains.’

The Charity Commission said in a statement to Metro: ‘We can confirm that we are aware of concerns about the governance of Sentebale.

‘We are assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps.’

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Tower block residents had windows installed inside out in massive council gaffe https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/25/tower-block-residents-windows-installed-inside-massive-council-gaffe-22790949/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/25/tower-block-residents-windows-installed-inside-massive-council-gaffe-22790949/#respond Tue, 25 Mar 2025 16:36:52 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22790949
Metro speaks to residents of Chalcots Estate.
Residents of the Chalcots Estate in Swiss Cottage, north London, told Metro they are unhappy with the issue (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

When the Metro newsroom heard about apartment blocks in Swiss Cottage that had inside-out windows installed, we knew we had to see it to believe it.

We went along to the estate in North West London and met with just some of the angry residents dumbfounded that their windows had been installed the wrong way round.

Residents living in the Dorney and Bray tower blocks affected have complained about sweltering conditions because of the issue.

This factor is caused by the window panes being installed at the wrong orientation, reflecting sunlight directly into the flats and causing them to overheat.

The new double glazing was wrongly installed in 85 flats in the Dorney block and an unknown number of flats in Bray.

Now, there is the prospect that as spring and summer approach, the inside-out windows could cause the flats to seriously overheat.

Camden Council confirmed that the refit of each new window installation will take around 40 minutes to complete – but at what cost?

One resident, Michelle Urquhart, 59, is a full-time carer for her dad with dementia and says she is in therapy for anxiety.

She had to rearrange her apartment, which she describes as now ‘stifling hot’,in order for the initial work to be done, and now finds herself having to do it all again.

Michelle with her dad.
Michelle cares for her dad and is currently in therapy for her anxiety (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

She told Metro: ‘I can’t describe the stress. I’m actually having therapy for my anxiety.

‘I have to clear everything away from the windows [so they can come to do the work]. I can’t tell you the impact and stress this will cause now.

‘My dad will have to go through it as well and it is just not on.’

Michelle, alongside other residents, were evacuated before in 2017 after dangerous cladding, the same as that found in Grenfell, was found in the tower block.

She said her issues with anxiety started then and have been ongoing ever since. The environment she lives in, she says, increases her stress levels.

‘I’m fuming,’ she says. ‘What idiot would put the windows in the wrong way around?

Metro speaks to residents of Chalcots Estate, Adelaide Rd, London NW3 3JS, who have been affected by windows installed inside out. Pictured: A general view of the construction work ongoing at Bray Tower. Image shot on 25th Mar 2025. ?? Belinda Jiao jiao.bilin@gmail.com 07598931257 https://www.belindajiao.com/about
Construction work has also been ongoing at Chalcots after dangerous cladding was found (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

‘I’m angry with how we’ve been put in this position, it’s just not good enough.

‘I’m just furious and I keep thinking of ways I can get around this because I can’t bear the thought of having to move everything.

‘I’m a full-time carer, so even though four hours doesn’t seem a lot, it is for me. What about people who have illnesses and are not well?

‘They think this will be sorted by May but that’s the best outcome at the moment.’

Paul Urquhart, 52, Michelle’s husband, said that the problem has become ‘annoying’.

‘When my flat was done last year, I thought this was all over for me,’ he told Metro.

‘All of a sudden we’ve got to have the glass taken out of the windows, have it turned around and put back in again.

Metro speaks to residents of Chalcots Estate, Adelaide Rd, London NW3 3JS, who have been affected by windows installed inside out. Pictured: Michelle Urquhart, caring for his father, and Paul Urquhart, pictured outside the estate. Image shot on 25th Mar 2025. ?? Belinda Jiao jiao.bilin@gmail.com 07598931257 https://www.belindajiao.com/about
Paul said that the replacement of the window panels will be ‘inconvenient’ (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

‘It’s going to be annoying and inconvenient because things will have to be moved away from windows.

‘It’s particularly disappointing because we thought it was all over and now we have this issue.’

Grace, who didn’t want to give her last name, added to Metro: ‘I found out they were inside out on Sunday. I thought, “Is this a joke?”

‘I initially thought they were going to put up the scaffolding to flip it again but apparently they need to go into each individual flat.

‘It is a waste of time having them come back in the flats. It is something they should have noticed at an earlier stage.’

Metro speaks to residents of Chalcots Estate, Adelaide Rd, London NW3 3JS, who have been affected by windows installed inside out. Pictured: A general view of the Bray Tower. Image shot on 25th Mar 2025. ?? Belinda Jiao jiao.bilin@gmail.com 07598931257 https://www.belindajiao.com/about
Camden Council said it is working to resolve the issue (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Some of London's most vulnerable are impacted by this council gaffe

“Having spent the day down at the Chalcots Estate reporting for Metro, it became apparent that many of those who are most vulnerable in our society are impacted by this issue.

The flats were built between 1967 – 1968 on land owned by Eton College and have required a series of repairs in recent times.

Many of these residents have had ongoing work carried out in the block of flats for years, not least work done to make the building safe in light of the Grenfell fire.

At the scene, many residents are constantly interrupted by the droning sounds of building work carried out.

It is people like Michelle who are most affected by issues like the incorrectly installed windows.

Being a full-time carer for her dad who has dementia and being at home much of the time, having to have the windows replaced takes its toll on her physical and mental health.”

A spokesperson for Camden Council, who own the buildings, said: ‘Following checks on the newly installed windows at the Chalcots, the council’s project team have found that some window glazing panels in Dorney and Bray have been incorrectly fitted by the contractor. 

‘This is not a safety concern but will affect the reduction of overheating in the summer – so we will be putting this right straight away.

‘We are contacting the residents who this issue affects to arrange for our contractors to install the glazing correctly. 

‘Each re-installation takes about 40 minutes and this will not be noisy work. 

‘This corrective work does not extend the overall programme as it can be done simultaneously to the remaining work which needs to be done and will be of no extra cost to the council or the taxpayer.

‘All works on the windows will be checked independently once completed. We apologise to the affected residents for this additional work.’

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Blood-soaked wrestler electrocutes his own dad with jump leads in the ring https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/25/blood-soaked-wrestler-electrocutes-dad-jump-leads-ring-22787078/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/25/blood-soaked-wrestler-electrocutes-dad-jump-leads-ring-22787078/#respond Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:41:03 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22787078
Wrestler covered in blood electrocuted.
The wrestler, also known as the ‘Iceman’ was left covered in blood at the event held in Sheffield (Picture: X)

A man covered in blood electrocuted his dad with jump leads during a ‘death match’ wrestling event.

Jack Harrop, 27, was up against his dad, Harrop, also known as the ‘Iceman’ in the ring at the match held in the Peddler Events Warehouse in Sheffield.

The footage posted on X shows Jack linking a jump lead-up to a battery.

Sparks then fly and the crowd can be heard shouting “Oooo” as he then clips them to the ring ropes.

When Tarrop starts to get electrocuted while chained up to the ring ropes, a man in the background can be heard saying “f*****g hell” while other people shout in the background.

The disturbing footage shows him convulsing in pain for a few seconds before the electrocution is stopped.

Wrestler electrocuted.
Sparks were flying and people could be heard shouting in the background (Picture: X)

This shocking match was held as part of a weekend-long event for people to watch.

It was hosted by Rise England promotions based in Leeds and the ICW No Holds Barred.

Organisers said this was one of the ‘most violent set of shows’ that had been hosted in the UK.

The dad, with stage name the ‘Iceman’ is well known in the world of wrestling.

He is commonly known to be the founder of these type of ‘death matches’ held in the UK.

Man left in pain after being electrocuted.
The electrocution was stopped after a few seconds (Picture: X)

Wrestling matches like these often cause controversy for the violence and impact it has on contestants.

They are often left bleeding, with bruised bones and beaten flesh.

Some matches have previously got out of hand, including one between wrestlers Ronnie Thatcher and Blizzard in April 2022.

Police had to investigate the fight between the two of them that involved them attacking one another with a garden strimmer and glass in front of children.

This took place at the Seaham Conservative Club in County Durham.

The group that organised it posted on Facebook that an event like that would not be run again.

The post read: ‘There will be no repeat of went down at PITS OF PUNISHMENT like what we saw between Ronnie and Blizzard again. It will only take place in over 18 shows (yes you can screenshot this for twitter).

‘The match was only supposed to be a doors match, where both men took it upon themselves to take things to another level. We apologise to everyone this may have upset and we will make sure this will never happen again.

‘We are very sorry, and all we can do is make things right.’

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Three schoolboys charged with raping young girl in supermarket car park https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/21/three-schoolboys-charged-raping-young-girl-supermarket-car-park-22769915/ Fri, 21 Mar 2025 17:00:40 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22769915
Police scene on Morrisons car park, Kingsway, Rochdale.
Police scene at the supermarket car park on February 11, 2024 (Picture: MEN Media)

Three schoolboys aged 13, 14 and 15 have been charged with the rape of a young girl.

The boys are each charged with three counts of rape of a girl under the age of 16 in a supermarket car park.

The three of them were arrested in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on February 10 last year.

At the time of the arrest, the youngest boy was aged 12.

Four boys were initially arrested and held in custody last year but the fourth boy was released without charge.

The three boys will appear at Manchester Youth Court on Monday.

Police scene on Morrisons car park , Kingsway , Rochdale . 11 February 2024
The boys have each been charged with three counts of rape and will appear in court on Monday (Picture: MEN Media)

Detective Superintendent Phil Key said: ‘This investigation has seen extensive and thorough work reviewing all available evidence in this case.

‘We are now in a position to charge three boys following the incident last year.

‘We continue to provide support to the victim and her wellbeing has been a priority for us over the last 12 months.

‘I would remind the public not to speculate on names of those they believe to be involved, as those under 18 have a legal right to anonymity and in speculating over names, this poses a risk to justice, and criminal proceedings can and may be brought against those naming.’

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22769915
Drunk barmaid sobs ‘who’s dead?’ after killing friend in car crash https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/21/drunk-barmaid-sobs-whos-dead-killing-friend-car-crash-22769055/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/21/drunk-barmaid-sobs-whos-dead-killing-friend-car-crash-22769055/#respond Fri, 21 Mar 2025 16:09:52 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22769055

Up Next

A woman who downed tequila and wine then killed a friend in a crash has been jailed for 12 years.

Karla Dodds, 25, from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, finished a shift at Whitley Bay bar in November 2022 then went on to a nightclub where she had the wine and tequila.

After this, she offered to drive six friends to a party, one in the boot and four in the back seat.

One passenger, Truman Hub, stuck his head out of the back window to feel the wind shortly before the crash on the A191 near North Tyneside General Hospital.

Dodds then fled the scene, leaving behind Hub who was fatally injured from the crash.

When she was arrested, a breath test showed she was twice over the legal drink drive limit.

Bodycam footage taken during her arrest showed Dodds sobbing and asking: ‘Who’s dead?’

At Newcastle Crown Court, James Doyle, defending, said Dodds wanted to train to become a nurse.

Dodds being arrested.
Dodds asked ‘who’s dead?’ when she was arrested by police

He also said she was a runner and rugby sevens player and had attended Millfield School for a year but had grown homesick.

Mr Doyle described Dodds as a ‘warm-hearted and kindly soul’, and added: ‘She has her issues like everyone else on this planet and she was and is a live-wire.’

He said she has acknowledged she must change and ‘seek calmer waters within herself’.

But when he claimed she felt remorse, the judge said there was no evidence to support that, and said: ‘She left the scene and ran away, she did her best to get away with it.’

In a victim statement read in court, Mr Hub’s grieving mother Rozalind said: ‘Truman was full of sunshine, laughter, mischief and love whose presence would light up any room.’

Undated handout photo issued by Northumbria Police of Karla Dodds who has been jailed for 12 years at Newcastle Crown Court after she killed a friend in a crash when she was carrying six passengers in her small hatchback. Dodds, 25, had previously survived a fatal crash in which she was a passenger when she caused the death by dangerous driving of Truman Hub in November 2022. Issue date: Friday March 21, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story COURTS Dodds. Photo credit should read: Northumbria Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Dodds has been jailed for 12 years at Newcastle Crown Court (Picture: Northumbria Police/PA Wire)

She said Dodds’ decision to run away from the crash was ‘wicked and cowardly’.

The court heard Dodds previously survived a fatal crash in which she was a passenger.

It also heard that she had not learned her lesson almost exactly two years after the tragic collision when she was stopped by police for speeding and was found to be twice over the limit for cannabis.

Referring to the previous fatal accident which Dodds survived, Ms Tub said: ‘I thought that she would have learned her lesson when she was a passenger in a fatal car accident a few years earlier.

‘I think it is only natural that we feel hostile, anger and even hatred towards Miss Dodds, we can never forgive her for cutting our son’s life so short.’

Truman Hub.
The court heard that Hub stuck his head out of the rear window shortly before the crash (Picture: Northumbria Police/PA Wire)

Judge Roger Thomas KC said Dodds was ‘highly intoxicated’ when she was behind the wheel, had been driving too fast and was convicted ‘on the back of overwhelming evidence’.

He said it was loud in the car, people were singing and the front seat passenger had asked her to slow down before she crashed.

He added that Dodds’ conviction and disqualification for drug driving after the fatal crash were also telling.

Mr Thomas said: ‘Everything about the case shows self-pity rather than true remorse.’

Dodds was convicted for death by dangerous driving and he jailed her for 12 years and banned her from driving for 13 years and nine months.

Sergeant Dave Roberts said outside court: ‘Dodds’ actions to drive under the influence and in such dangerous conditions – cramming six passengers into her small vehicle after a night out – has ultimately led to Truman losing his life.

‘Not only that but Dodds has demonstrated her lack of remorse after what happened, having been caught drug driving while waiting for her trial date at court.

‘She was convicted in January of this year having been found to be driving under the influence of drugs last November, just two years on.

‘While no result will ever take away the pain that has been caused, I hope the fact that Dodds will spend a significant period of time in prison will help to bring a sense of closure for the family.

‘A split decision to drive while under the influence can clearly ruin countless lives forever – and there is simply no excuse for putting other people at risk.’

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Flights return to Heathrow while officials scramble to find out cause of mystery fire https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/21/heathrow-airport-closed-day-fire-causes-huge-power-outage-22765320/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/21/heathrow-airport-closed-day-fire-causes-huge-power-outage-22765320/#respond Fri, 21 Mar 2025 05:58:09 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22765320

Up Next

The first few flights have landed and taken off from Heathrow but the cause of the fire which caused a loss of power is still a mystery.

People are now jetting off to destinations like Riyadh, Cape Town and Johannesburg and a full service is expected at the airport tomorrow.

The fire – which involved 25,000 litres of cooling oil fully alight – ripped through an electricity substation in Hayes, causing a widespread power outage at Heathrow and nearby.

Terrorism detectives were called in to investigate the cause over possible sabotage links after the significant impact on national infrastructure.

Heathrow said passengers should not travel to the airport unless their airline has advised them to do so. It said it hopes to ‘run a full operation tomorrow.’

Aviation consultant Bernard Lavelle told Metro how thousands of aircraft, crew, pilots and passengers will have been scattered around at other airports, far from their intended destinations.

Thousands of passengers have had their weekend travel plans upended after the disruption at the UK’s and Europe’s busiest airport, which is ‘a contained version of 9/11,’ an aviation expert John Strickland said.

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Conor McGregor says he will run for President after meeting with Donald Trump https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/20/conor-mcgregor-says-will-run-president-meeting-donald-trump-22764619/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/20/conor-mcgregor-says-will-run-president-meeting-donald-trump-22764619/#respond Thu, 20 Mar 2025 22:49:23 +0000
Conor McGregor in cap holding child.
Conor McGregor says he will run for President and made the announcement on Instagram (Picture: Conor McGregor/Instagram)

Conor McGregor has announced he will run to become Ireland’s President.

McGregor, who was found to have raped a woman following a civil case in November, announced the plans on Instagram, and included a photo of himself dressed in a ‘Make Ireland Great Again’ cap.

McGregor wrote: ‘Ireland must fully implement the EU Migration Pact by June 12, 2026.

‘So between now and 12 June 2026, several pieces of legislation have to be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas & then signed by the President.

‘The next presidential election must take place by 11 Nov 2025. Who else will stand up to Government and oppose this bill?

‘Any other Presidential candidate they attempt to put forward will be of no resistance to them. I will!

BGUK_3187443 - Washington, - Donald Trump, the President of the United States, invited Conor McGregor to speak at the White House in Washington on March 18, 2025. Irish mixed martial arts (MMA) champion Conor McGregor made particularly virulent anti-immigration remarks that angered Irish Prime Minister Miche??l Martin. Pictured: Donald Trump, Conor McGregor BACKGRID UK 18 MARCH 2025 BYLINE MUST READ: BEST IMAGE / BACKGRID UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com *Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
McGregor posed with Donald Trump during his visit to the Oval Office (Picture: BACKGRID)

‘For clarity also, as President, I would put forth this bill to referendum.

‘Although I oppose greatly this pact, it is neither mine nor governments choice to make. It is the people of Irelands choice! Always! That is a true democracy!’

He also wrote on X earlier today: ‘Ireland, the choice is yours and it is an easy one. Vote for me as your President and we will SAVE IRELAND TOGETHER!’

The news comes after his White House appearance in which he said Ireland is facing an ‘illegal immigration racket ravaging our country’.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 17: Former UFC champion and Irish businessman Conor McGregor briefly speaks with reporters alongside White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt before meeting with President Donald Trump in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on Saint Patrick's Day, March 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. McGregor said he is meeting with Trump to talk about how Ireland is losing its identity to immigrants, among other topics. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
McGregor criticised immigration to Ireland during his White House address (Picture: Getty Images)

Inside the Oval Office, McGregor posed with Trump and the pair clasped hands and smiled with one another during photos.

But McGregor’s St Patrick’s Day appearance was criticised by Irish leaders, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who said his comments ‘did not reflect the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, or the views of the people of Ireland’.

McGregor was found liable of assaulting Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in 2018 – with a jury awarding her £200,000 in damages.

Speaking to the Irish Mail at the time following the verdict, Ms Hand said she had been inundated with support during her civil trial, and that she never doubted her victory over McGregor.

McGregor hit back: ‘Deplorable what they done. Nikita hand, vicious liar! APPEAL!’

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Christian teacher who told pupils being gay is a ‘sin’ loses High Court appeal https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/20/christian-teacher-told-pupils-gay-a-sin-loses-high-court-appeal-22764229/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/20/christian-teacher-told-pupils-gay-a-sin-loses-high-court-appeal-22764229/#respond Thu, 20 Mar 2025 22:28:32 +0000
Christian teacher with High Court in the background.
Glawdys Leger told her class of year seven pupils that being gay was ‘not fine’

A teacher who told a class of year seven pupils that being gay is a sin and transgender people are ‘just confused’ has lost a High Court challenge.

Glawdys Leger also told the class that being LGBT+ was ‘not fine’ and that God should be put before the LGBTQ ideology.

Ms Leger, who is a Christian, made the comments while teaching a religious studies lesson at Bishop Justus Church of England School in Bromley, south London, in February 2022.

She was only caught when one of the pupils in the class told her mum about what was said.

The remarks were recorded by the girl, whose mum told her to write down any ‘transphobic’ comments.

The mum complained to the school and said Ms Leger’s views were ‘very distressing’ for her child as she is ‘exploring who she is – as many children are at this age’.

Ms Leger was suspended in March 2022 and then suspended two months later.

It was found in December 2023 that her actions amounted to unprofessional conduct and she was banned from teaching in future.

But she brought legal action against the Department for Education (DfE) at the High Court against the findings.

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She said her comments were not put into context and it was the school’s duty to provide a broad and balanced curriculum.

Ms Leger said the outcome of the findings, which was published on the Teaching Regulation Agency’s website, infringed her right to privacy.

She said this would make it ‘difficult, if not impossible, to obtain new employment’.

But this has been dismissed by Mrs Justice Lang who said Ms Leger’s criticisms of the PCP’s finding ‘do not disclose any error of law, as opposed to mere disagreement’.

The published decision will become inaccessible after two years, even to employers, she added.

She said in a written judgement: ‘The PCP and the secretary of state made a lawful decision that publication of the findings was a justifiable and proportionate sanction for her unacceptable professional conduct.’

She concluded: ‘This was indeed a Christian school, but the claimant’s own evidence was that she had been unwilling to support that school’s policy.

‘The result was the nuanced finding that while Ms Leger’s comments lacked respect for the right of others this did not derive from a lack of a tolerance nor had she any intention of causing distress to pupils.

‘That said, her actions were at risk of upsetting pupils in the lesson and her choice not to present a balanced view undermined the school community’s aspiration to provide a supportive environment for children who may be exploring sexual identity.’

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Several injured after lorry smashes through motorway reservation into six vehicles https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/20/several-injured-lorry-smashes-motorway-reservation-six-vehicles-22764189/ https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/20/several-injured-lorry-smashes-motorway-reservation-six-vehicles-22764189/#respond Thu, 20 Mar 2025 21:15:03 +0000 https://metro.co.uk/?p=22764189
M60 motorway.
Drivers are urged to avoid the area following the major crash (Picture: X)

Several people are reportedly injured after a lorry has crashed into six vehicles on a major motorway.

The crash has happened on a section of the M60 near Swinton, Greater Manchester, which is closed.

Greater Manchester Police said: ‘We are responding to a collision on the M60 motorway at junction 15 in Swinton involving an HGV crossing the central reservation, into the opposite lane, before going into the embankment.

‘At approximately 7pm this evening (20/03/2025), the HGV crashed into six vehicles.

‘The M60 is closed clockwise and anticlockwise between junction 15 and 16. Several people have been injured and paramedics are on scene.

‘We ask motorists to avoid this section of the M60 this evening. Your patience is appreciated as emergency services continue to provide medical aid and investigate the incident.’

National Highways said: ‘At least one vehicle which has crossed through the central reservation barrier.

‘The road is likely to be closed for some time.’

Traffic on the M60.
Traffic on the M60 following the major crash this evening (Picture: Highways England)

National Highways added that the section of the motorway is expected to be closed until at least midnight.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: ‘Four people were assessed by colleagues from North West Ambulance Service, and one person is being conveyed to Salford Royal Hospital. 

‘Firefighters remain in attendance at this time.’

Suzanne Hayward posted about the crash on X and wrote: ‘Massive crash on M60 between 14 and 15 clockwise.

‘Lorry crashed through central reservation and has gone across motorway and down the embankment on clockwise side.

‘Multiple vehicles, police in attendance. Huge tailbacks and lane closures anti-clockwise.’

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