Wren Spinney School, in Kettering, which supports pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), has achieved much-coveted gold status in the Healthy Schools Award scheme.The Healthy Schools scheme, run by by the Government’s Department for Education, recognises and celebrates schools’ progress in promoting wellbeing, healthy eating and physical activity among pupils through three levels of achievement.Wren Spinney has became the first north Northamptonshire education provider to be recognised with ‘gold’.Headteacher Mike Tebbutt said: “Wren Spinney is pleased to have taken part in the Healthy Schools Awards as these are about promoting a healthy lifestyle whilst still taking into the account the needs of the pupils, this is especially important for pupils with special needs.L-r Laura Ielapi NNC’s Public Health Officer, Toby Widdicombe Assistant Head Teacher, Mike Tebbutt Headteacher, and Cllr Elizabeth Wright“The awards have been completed by not just looking what our pupils will or can eat (bronze), but enabling them to have the opportunities to be as active as possible (silver), and focussing on their wellbeing (gold). Wren Spinney have been proud to take part in the Healthy School Awards and celebrate achieving Gold.”Staff and student at the school for pupils from 11 to 18 years of age, have benefitted from the wellbeing strategy impacting the whole school.The school, for children with Severe Learning Difficulties and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, achieved all set targets to enhance and improve student experience.Over the course of a year, the school organised a festival, SENFest, a Winter Wonderland play day, and numerous wellbeing activities for pupils and staff. They created a quiet space for staff and a space for staff to receive support from Mental Health First Aiders.Cllr Elizabeth Wright, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Children, Education and Families, added: “This is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to the sustained commitment to promoting health and wellbeing across their whole school community. This milestone is made even more special as it marks the first SEND school to achieve gold status.”Continue Reading
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Kettering school earns gold Healthy Schools Award for wellbeing strategies
Lorry driver was six times drink-drive limit on A14 and had whiskey bottles in his cab
Police who stopped a lorry driver who was more than six times the legal drink-drive limit on the A14 found several bottles of whiskey in his HGV.Darek Smagiel, 55, was seen swerving across lanes on the dual carriageway and was reported by members of the public to the police, who stopped his Iveco lorry on the A14 eastbound at Fenstanton on Monday (13 July) afternoon.In a roadside breath test, he blew 221 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, more than six times the legal limit of 35 microgrammes. Two hours after his arrest in custody, he gave an evidential reading of 121.Smagiel, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and dangerous driving at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (14 July) and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, and was disqualified from driving for three years.The HGV driven by Darek Smagiel, 55, of no fixed abode, swerving between lanes on the A14 and, inset, a whiskey bottle found inside his cab. Picture: Cambridgeshire ConstabularyPC James Allen, from the road policing unit, said: “Smagiel’s driving fell far below the standards of a careful and competent river. He put members of the public at risk of a serious collision. I would like to thank members of the public who called in to report his driving which has ensured he is now off the roads for a considerable time.”Darek Smagiel, 55, of no fixed abode, is arrested. Picture: Cambridgeshire ConstabularyThe whiskey bottles in Darek Smagiel’s HGV. Picture: Cambridgeshire ConstabularyVideo footage released by Cambridgeshire Constabulary shows a bottle of whiskey in Smagiel’s cab. After reading him rights and arresting him, an officer told him: “I can smell the liquor in here. As simple as that: you are drunk.”
Premier League pre-season friendlies 2026/27: Fixtures, results, UK kick-off times, summer tour schedule and training camps
Premier League clubs are getting ready for the 2026/27 with their pre-season fixtures and tours.Here’s where all 20 teams will travel to on their pre-season tours and who they will face ahead of the return of the English top flight on August 21.
All the kick-offs are listed in UK time.
August 1: Girona vs Arsenal – Girona, 7pmAugust 5: Arsenal vs Real Betis – Dublin, 7.30pmAugust 9: Arsenal vs Borussia Dortmund – Emirates Stadium, 2pmAugust 12: Arsenal vs Como – Emirates Stadium, 7.30pmAugust 16: Community Shield – Arsenal vs Man City, Cardiff, 3pmJuly 21: Walsall vs Aston Villa – Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium, 7.30pmJuly 25: Porto vs Aston Villa – Estadio Do Dragao, 7pmJuly 28: Aston Villa vs Real Sociedad – Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium, 7.30pmAugust 1: Indonesia All-Stars vs Aston Villa – Jakarta, 1pmAugust 4: BG Pathum United vs Aston Villa – Pathum Thani, 1.30pmAugust 7: Aston Villa vs Bayern Munich, Hong Kong, 1pmAugust 12: UEFA Super Cup – PSG vs Aston Villa, Salzburg, 8pmAugust 15: Borussia Monchengladbach vs Aston Villa – Borussia-Park, 2.30pm
July 24: St Pauli vs Bournemouth – Saalfelden, 4pmJuly 30: Augsburg vs Bournemouth – Saalfelden, 4pmAugust 4: Genoa vs Bournemouth – Bournemouth training ground (behind closed doors)August 8: Real Betis vs Bournemouth – Seville, 7.30pmAugust 15: Mainz vs Bournemouth – Mewa Arena, 2.30pm
August 8: Rennes vs Brentford – Stade Rennais, 5pmAugust 15: Brentford vs Eintracht Frankfurt – Gtech Community Stadium, 3pm
July 25: Annecy vs Brighton – France (behind closed doors)August 1: Strasbourg vs Brighton – France (behind closed doors)August 8: Brighton vs Roma – The Amex, 3pmAugust 15: Brighton vs Bologna – The Amex, 3pmJuly 28: Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers – Sydney, 10.45amAugust 1: Chelsea vs Tottenham, Sydney, 10.45amAugust 5: Chelsea vs Juventus, Hong Kong, 12.30pmAugust 8: Chelsea vs AC Milan – Jakarta, 1pmAugust 9: Johor Darul Ta’zim vs Chelsea – Johor, 1pmJuly 11: AFC Wimbledon 3-2 Coventry – behind closed doorsJuly 18: Northampton vs Coventry – Sixfields, 2pmAugust 8: Coventry vs Espanyol – Coventry Building Society Arena, 5.30pmJuly 18: Palace vs Swindon – Palace training ground (behind closed doors), 12.30pmJuly 25: Bromley vs Palace – Hayes Lane, 3pmJuly 28: Palace vs Lens (6pm – 45-minute match)July 28: Palace vs Famalicao (7.30pm – 45-minute matchJuly 31 or August 1: Palace v TBC, (5pm or 7.45pm)August 15: Freiburg v Crystal Palace – Europa-Park Stadion, 1pmJuly 18: Dundee v Everton – Dens Park, 2pmJuly 25: Bolton vs Everton – Toughsheet Community Stadium, 3pmJuly 28: Stoke vs Everton – bet365 Stadium, 7.45pmAugust 1: Hamburg vs Everton – Volksparkstadion, 4pmAugust 8: Stuttgart vs Everton – MHP Arena, 4pmAugust 12: Everton vs Newcastle – Murrayfield, 5.15pmAugust 15: Everton vs Lille – Hill Dickinson Stadium, 3pmAugust 15: Fulham vs Stuttgart – Craven Cottage, 4pmJuly 25: Hull vs Konyaspor – Slovenia, KO TBCJuly 28: Hull vs Caykur Rizespor – Slovenia, KO TBCAugust 1: Hull vs Kasımpasa – Istanbul, KO TBCAugust 8: Eintracht Frankfurt vs Hull – Germany, 2pmAugust 15: Hull vs Nice – MKM Stadium (3pm)July 29: Ipswich v Osasuna – Colchester, 7.45pmAugust 1: Oxford vs Ipswich – Kassam Stadium, 12pmAugust 1: Wycombe vs Ipswich – Adams Park, 4pmAugust 4: Ipswich vs Le Havre – Portman Road, 7.45pmAugust 8: Ipswich vs Rayo Vallecano – Portman Road, 3pmAugust 15: Union Berlin vs Ipswich – Stadion An der Alten Forsterei, 2.30pmJuly 26: Leeds vs Wrexham – Tampa, 12.30amJuly 31: Leeds vs Sunderland – New Jersey, 12.30amAugust 2: Leeds vs Liverpool – Chicago, 9pmAugust 8: Leeds vs RB Leipzig – Elland Road, 2pmAugust 12: Leeds vs Man Utd – Dublin, 7.30pmJuly 25: Liverpool vs Sunderland – Nashville, 11pmJuly 30: Liverpool vs Wrexham – New York, 12.30amAugust 2: Liverpool vs Leeds – Chicago, 9pmAugust 9: Liverpool vs Monaco – Anfield, 2.30pmAugust 16: Liverpool vs Como – Anfield, 6pmAugust 1: Man City vs Inter Milan – Hong Kong,12.30pmAugust 5: K-League All Stars vs Man City – Seoul, 12pmAugust 9: Man City vs Atletico Madrid – Seoul, 12pmAugust 16: Community Shield – Arsenal vs Man City – Cardiff, 3pmJuly 18: Man Utd vs Wrexham – Helsinki, 4pmJuly 24: Man Utd vs Rosenborg – Trondheim, 5pmAugust 1: Man Utd vs Atletico Madrid – Stockholm, 2pmAugust 8: Man Utd vs PSG – Gothenburg, 4pmAugust 12: Man Utd vs Leeds – Dublin, 7.30pmAugust 15: Man Utd vs AC Milan – Wroclaw, 3.45pmJuly 18: Newcastle vs Darlington – Newcastle training ground (behind closed doors)July 25: Gateshead vs Newcastle – Gateshead International Stadium, 12.30pmJuly 29: Bristol City vs Newcastle – Ashton Gate, 7.30pmAugust 8: Valencia vs Newcastle – Mestalla, 8pmAugust 12: Everton vs Newcastle – Murrayfield, 5.15pmAugust 15: Newcastle vs Bayer Leverkusen – St James’ Park, 3pmAugust 16: Newcastle vs Strasbourg – St James’ Park, 4pmJuly 18: Notts County vs Forest – Meadow Lane, 3pmJuly 22: Forest vs Blackburn – Estadio da Nora (Portugal), 11amJuly 26: Vitoria vs Forest – Portugal (behind closed doors)July 31: Sporting vs Forest – Estadio Algarve, 7.45pmAugust 12: Forest vs Bayer Leverkusen – City Ground, 7.45pmAugust 16: Forest vs Brest – City Ground, 2pmJuly 18: York City vs Sunderland – LNER Community Stadium, 3pmJuly 25: Sunderland vs Liverpool – Nashville, 11pmJuly 31: Sunderland vs Leeds – New Jersey, 12.30amAugust 2: Sunderland vs Wrexham – Philadelphia, 6pmAugust 8: Lens vs Sunderland – Lens training ground (behind closed doors), 11amAugust 8: Lens vs Sunderland – Stade Bollaert-Delelis, 4pmAugust 15: Sunderland vs Rennes – Stadium of Light, 3pmJuly 22: Tottenham vs MK Dons – Spurs training ground (behind closed doors), 4pmJuly 26: Tottenham vs Auckland FC – Auckland, 4.30amJuly 29: Tottenham vs Sydney FC – Sydney, 10.45amAugust 1: Tottenham vs Chelsea – Sydney, 10.45amAugust 8: Tottenham vs Getafe – Spurs training ground (behind closed doors), 3pmAugust 15: Tottenham vs Hoffenheim – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 3pmAugust 16: Tottenham vs Hoffenheim – Spurs training ground (behind closed doors), 3pmFollow the new Premier League season with Sky Sports!Sky Sports is the home of domestic club football in the UK & Ireland and will broadcast over 1,500 live matches across the Premier League, WSL, EFL and Scottish Premiership next season.Sky Sports will show a minimum of 215 live Premier League matches in 2026/27.Sky Sports has first pick of matches each week and will continue to show multiple games at 2pm on Sunday on a number of weekends.Sky Sports subscriber? You’ll be able to watch all our live football straight from the Sky Sports app.Not got Sky Sports? Upgrade to Sky Sports if you’re already a Sky customer, or check out our latest offers.Want even more flexibility? Check out NOW TV, which offers day or month membership options contract-free so customers can cancel anytime.The key dates of the 2026-27 seasonAugust 21: Premier League campaign startsAugust 27: Champions League league phase drawSeptember 8-10: Champions League league phase startsJanuary 9: FA Cup third roundJanuary 27: Champions League league phase endsFebruary 16: Champions League knockout phase beginsMarch 21: Carabao Cup finalMay 22: FA Cup finalMay 30: Premier League season endsJune 5: Champions League final, Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid
Staffordshire Police receives rating as part of new national system – Lichfield Live®
STAFFORDSHIRE Police has been classed as level two under a new national rating system due to its ‘ongoing performance issues’.
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has assigned all 43 police forces in England and Wales to one of four grading levels for the first time.
They range from level one – the default position when no intervention is needed – to level four, which means the force is in special measures.
HMICFRS says the new system will allow forces to access support earlier, and improve public confidence in the police.
Under the old system, Staffordshire Police was in ‘Engage’ – the equivalent of level four – between 2022 and 2024, due to concerns over its investigations and how it identified vulnerable people.
The force is now among 13 that have been assigned to level two – 29 are in the highest level one category.
Only one force, Lincolnshire Police, has been assigned to level three, while none are currently in level four.
Forces in level two are able to access ‘enhanced support’ to prevent any deterioration in performance.
Being assigned to this level can mean that a force has some low-level, non-systemic issues, multiple minor issues or issues that are getting better but require oversight.
Staffordshire Police was rated inadequate in the way it responds to the public in its recent inspection report, with three other areas requiring improvement.
In its publication on the new levels, HMICFRS says this “cause of concern” was a factor in the decision to assign Staffordshire Police to level two.
The report states:
“The force has a number of enduring areas for improvement, particularly in relation to responding to the public, attendance at incidents and improving the quality of investigations. These areas for improvement led to the force entering Engage under our previous monitoring arrangements in 2022.
“Despite the recent cause of concern, the force is making tangible progress.”
Staffordshire Police’s Acting Chief Constable Becky Riggs said:
“We welcome the introduction of the new Policing Performance System and the assessment process undertaken by HMICFRS.
“We aspire to be at level one but being placed at level two recognises that while there are areas where further improvement and oversight are required, we are not facing the significant or systemic concerns associated with the higher levels of the framework.
“We have already made positive progress in key areas of performance and remain committed to delivering ongoing improvements for the communities we serve.
“The enhanced support available through level two will help us maintain that momentum, ensuring we continue to address any remaining issues and prevent any deterioration in performance.
“Our focus remains on providing an effective, efficient and victim-centred service. I am grateful to our officers, staff and volunteers for their continued hard work and dedication to keeping Staffordshire safe.”
The new performance level system, which was announced in the Government’s Police Reform White Paper, will make forces more accountable to the Home Secretary.
Where there are performance concerns, the Home Secretary will be able to send in experts to support improvement.
Chief Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer said:
“This strengthened system-wide approach will support all police forces in England and Wales.
“By using a range of data, evidence and insight to identify concerns earlier, the Policing Performance System will provide the correct level of support at the right time. This will assist forces in addressing any performance issues before they get worse and help make our communities safer.”
Staffordshire Police has been approached for comment.
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Spain vs Argentina: World Cup final prediction, kick-off time, team news, odds, h2h
After coming out on top in a dramatic final in Qatar four years ago, Argentina are seeking to become only the third nation ever to win back-to-back World Cups, following the Italy team of 1934 and 1938, and the great Brazil outfit of 1958 and 1962.Spain were first to book their place in the World Cup 2026 final after beating pre-tournament favourites France in Dallas on Tuesday thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.As such, La Roja have the chance to complete a second European Championships and World Cup double, 16 years on from achieving the feat.Date, kick-off time and venueSpain vs Argentina is scheduled for a 8pm BST kick-off on Sunday, July 19, 2026.The match will take place at the New York/New Jersey Stadium.Where to watch Spain vs Argentina for FREETV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on ITV1 and BBC One, with coverage starting at 6.45pm and 7pm BST respectively.Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via BBC iPlayer and the ITVX app as well as both channel’s websites.Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel, along with BBC iPlayer / ITVX app and their websites.Spain vs Argentina team newsSpain came through the France game largely unscathed in terms of injuries and have a clean bill of health heading into the final. Nico Williams has come off the bench in the last two games, so will be pushing for a start at the expense of Alex Baena.Lamine Yamal missed training ahead of the final, though, and after he was spotted with strapping on his left thigh, it remains unclear whether he will be fit to feature.In midfield, Barcelona’s Pedri has been dropped for the last two games and there’s no guarantee he will earn a recall with Rodri and Fabian Ruiz impressing against France.Nico Williams is yet to start a game at the World Cup for SpainAFP/GettyGoalkeepers: David Raya, Joan Garcia, Unai SimonDefenders: Marc Pubill, Alex Grimaldo, Eric Garcia, Marcos Llorente, Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Marc CucurellaMidfielders: Mikel Merino, Fabian Ruiz, Gavi, Alex Baena, Rodri, Martin Zubimendi, PedriForwards: Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Yeremy Pino, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Victor Munoz, Borja IglesiasLionel Scaloni’s substitutions against England made the difference in their comeback win, with Martinez taking all the headlines with the all-important winning goal in stoppage time.However, it must be noted that Nicolas Gonzalez and Rodrigo De Paul, in particular, helped changed the game and therefore they could be in contention to start the final.Impact: Lautaro Martinez came off the bench to score Argentina’s winner against EnglandGettyGoalkeepers: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Emiliano MartinezDefenders: Marcos Senesi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel MolinaMidfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolas Gonzalez, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo FernandezForwards: Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro MartinezSpain vs Argentina predictionSpain have quietly gone about their business all tournament and were mightily impressive in the semi-final win over France.However, this Argentina team just has a knack of producing when it matters in the big moments, thus making this a difficult one to call.The fact that retaining the World Cup has only been done twice before shows how hard it is to do, but we think Argentina will make history as Lionel Messi bows out on top.Head to head (h2h) history and resultsSpain vs Argentina match oddsWe aim to offer every online gambler and reader of The Standard a safe and fair platform through unbiased reviews and offers from the UK’s best online gambling companies.Gambling can be addictive, always play responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling sites have a number of tools to assist you to stay in control, including deposit limits and time outs. If you think you have a problem, advice and support is available for you now from BeGambleAware or Gamcare.Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply to all offers.
BLOG: Putting Children and Young People First. – Liverpool Express
Liverpool’s children and young people are at the heart of the city’s ambitions, and this week’s ‘Good’ Ofsted judgement for Children’s Services marks a significant milestone in that journey. In this blog, Cllr Liz Parsons, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Services, reflects on the transformation of the service over the past three years, the investment made in staff and families, and why the city remains committed to building an even brighter future for its youngest residents.
“When I became Cabinet Member for Children’s Services just over three years ago in the wake of an ‘inadequate’ rating from Ofsted, I sat down, in the autumn, with our new Corporate Director, Jenny Glennard, and we agreed that it would be a 3-to-5-year journey to get to delivering really good services.
“Last week’s “Good” judgement for Children’s Services reflects the remarkable progress that we have made.
“Being branded ‘inadequate’ is much more than just a few negative news headlines. It floors the entire workforce, and so a lot of what we had to do, aside from fixing the structural things and strengthening the team, was to lift morale and show our teams that it wasn’t a direct reflection on them. Our staff are passionate and invested in our children and we needed to recognise and value that commitment.
“We did that by investing in the workforce, hiring new social workers to reduce caseloads, investing in training and development, delivering visible leadership and improving communication.
“The inspection recognised the relentless pace and scale of change across the service, highlighting “tangible improvements across all areas of practice” that have been achieved for some of Liverpool’s most vulnerable children.
“This achievement is not the result of one initiative alone. It reflects a city-wide commitment to ensuring that children and young people are at the heart of decision-making and have the support they need to thrive.
“Ofsted recognised several key improvements that have been made since our last inspection in 2023, one of which is that we’ve made a huge shift in our workforce from predominantly temporary agency workers to permanent staff. This is hugely important – you wouldn’t staff a school with supply teachers, and you can’t do it with social work. Staff need time and space to build relationships with the children in our care to earn their trust.
“We spent a lot of time in the early days going to social work recruitment events to sell our vision of Children’s Services. And it has paid dividends. We have gone from four out of five staff being agency workers in 2023 to 16% today. This really is bucking the national trend when councils across the country are struggling with a recruitment crisis. Delivering such a drastic change here in Liverpool really has made all the difference.
“It means children and young people have consistency with the professionals who are supporting them, rather than having to get to know someone new every few months and having to tell their story all over again. It also shows that professionals have seen the changes in Liverpool and want to be a part of it. We’ve seen large numbers of staff returning who left us before or after the last inspection, and new faces, and people wanting to start their career with us and really make a difference to children and young people in this fantastic city.
“Investment in early help and family support has also been central to our journey. The city has delivered 12 Family Hubs, providing a one-stop shop for coordinated support services within communities. These hubs help families access the right support at the right time, reducing barriers and strengthening outcomes for children.
“But social care is just one element of our commitment to supporting our young people.
“We are also tackling inequalities through programmes that support health, wellbeing and enrichment. In 2025-26, Liverpool commissioned 85,758 Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) places, benefiting 9,389 children and young people with healthy meals, play opportunities and enriching experiences.
“Free leisure centre passes are now available for all children aged 8-17, supported by more than £5 million of investment in leisure facilities across the city.
“Alongside this, youth service funding has doubled, providing an additional £1 million for community-based youth work.
“And, since 2022, the city has been working towards becoming recognised as a UNICEF Child Friendly City and our Ofsted judgement shows we’re on the right track. This prestigious recognition would acknowledge the measurable progress Liverpool has made in championing children’s rights and creating a city where every child can grow up in an environment that is safe, clean, nurturing and full of opportunity.
“But we are not complacent. We know there’s still more to do for care leavers. We’re working hard to deliver our new Care Leaver’s Hub to ensure they can access the right support for them in a familiar place and ensure they have the tools they need to strive in adulthood.
“A ‘Good’ Ofsted judgement is an important milestone, but the city’s ambition remains clear: to continue improving services, championing children’s rights and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed so that, next time we are inspected, we are judged to be one of the best performing services in the country.”
Man jailed for nine years after raping woman he befriended in Bedford city centre
A man has been jailed for raping a woman after approaching her in Bedford city centre before taking her to the house where he was staying and sexually assaulting her. Robel Gebremariam, 25, targeted the woman in the early hours of 6 July 2024 after spotting her walking through Greyfriars. Bedfordshire Police said Gebremariam walked alongside the victim before taking her to a nearby shop where he bought her a bottle of alcohol. He then booked a taxi and took the woman to the address where he was staying, supplying her with more alcohol before raping her.
Victim reported attack
The victim reported the rape to police shortly afterwards, prompting an investigation by Bedfordshire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Team. Officers carried out extensive enquiries, including reviewing CCTV footage and gathering intelligence, which led to Gebremariam being identified as the suspect. Following a four-day trial earlier this year, Gebremariam, of Dudley Street, Bedford, was found guilty of rape.
Nine-year sentence
Appearing at Luton Crown Court on Tuesday, July 14, the 25-year-old was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment. He was also handed a one-year extended licence, meaning he will remain under supervision after his release from prison. Bedfordshire Police said the conviction followed a thorough investigation by specialist detectives, who worked to gather the evidence needed to secure justice for the victim. The force continues to encourage anyone who has been the victim of rape or sexual offences to report incidents, assuring victims they will be supported throughout the investigation process.We are your go-to destination for breaking UK news, real-life stories from communities across the country, striking images, and must-see video from the heart of the action.Follow us on Facebook at for the latest updates and developing stories, and stay connected on X (Twitter) the for live coverage as news breaks across the UK.
Northampton’s phenomenal multi million pound soft play which employs 110 people and attracts thousands of visitors from miles around gears up for summer holidays with reduced price tickets for families
The owner’s of Northampton’s biggest soft play are busy preparing for welcoming thousands of people through its doors this summer following the Government’s announced of its VAT saving scheme.The powerhouse that is the Riverside Hub, in Carousel Way, first flung open its doors to the public on August 21, 2013 by Valentina and Ellis Potter who for the past 13 years have lovingly made it the huge success it is today. A summer of fun at the Hub awaits with the Government reducing VAT which will be based on to customers to make savings on a family day outHaving spent months visiting existing indoor play centres and making a list of their likes, dislikes and ideas of their own, that was when they secured the massive empty space of a unit within the Riverside business park. The pair remortgaged their home, borrowed money from family members and threw everything they had into reaching the million pounds they needed to make their vision a reality.The aim for Riverside Hub was always not just to be an indoor play centre, but somewhere unique and unlike anywhere else.Fast forward to to the summer of 2026, the ginormous soft play has seen around five to six million pounds worth of investment and a wage bill alone of £125,000, figures which Ellis describe as ‘quite scary’. The couple currently have a 110-strong team of staff both full and part time, as well as various sub-contractors they bring in when needed. When the Chron asked Ellis if he ever imagined the Hub would be as successful as it is today, he said: “Not really, no. We thought it could do okay, but we keep on investing and our catchment areas keeps getting bigger and bigger because we have so much here. We regularly have people travel for two hours or more to get to us.”The play centre attracts a phenomenal amount of visitor numbers per month from the lowest of 17,000 in June to 42,000 in December. Ellis said: “We love what we have created here and it’s very flattering when people tell us they have travelled a long distance.”People who live in Northamptonshire must think that all play centres are like the Hub, but to be honest we’re a bit of a unicorn. Nowhere else spends the silly money that we do on new features all the time, but amazingly, it works and we’re still in business 13 years later and looking forward to the next 13!”Ellis describes wife Valentina as the brains behind the incredible special touches that make the hub so unique.He said: “Valentina is probably the most creative person dreaming up and designing play and sensory spaces in the UK. I might sound biased, but I know the indoor play industry well and nobody comes up with the constant stream of good ideas Valentina does.”The hardworking couple work around the clock and have been known to work right through the night on a few occasions, with maintenance teams coming in overnight due to the Hub being a seven day a week operation. Never ones to sit still, Ellis and Valentina are constantly looking to the future and the next investment. New areas will be opening up within a few months with plans for ‘visually exciting walk-throughs’, a beautiful giant tree that comes to life at Christmas as well as new sensory and play areas.Ellis explains: “We spend a high six figure sum on new play features each year. As long as people keep visiting we will keep on improving.”To begin with the parking was a ‘free-for all’ which would cause uncertainty for customers but now with a pre-booking system in place, visitors know exactly whether they’re able to paid or not.The moved was described as a ‘huge improvement on the visitor experience’ with Ellis adding: “ In leisure, if you are standing still then you are realistically going backwards, so we must improve.”Ellis states that the whole Hub will look very different in two years from now whilst retaining all the play features that people love.The couple are now prepping for a busy summer ahead as schools begin to break up, boosted by the announcement of the government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme aimed at family activities and dining experiences.With a reduction in VAT from 20 to 5 per cent, the Hub will pass the savings onto customers meaning cheaper tickets from now until September 1. Continue Reading
REVEALED: Hotspots for invasive Japanese knotweed across Cambridgeshire – here’s where Peterborough ranks and what to do if you find it
If left unmanaged, knotweed can cause damage to buildings, hinder property sales and lead to legal disputes if it spreads across property boundariesThere have been a total of 220 verified sightings of knotweed across Cambridgeshire, with 40 identified in Peterborough according to new research by Invasive plant consultancy Environet.The new research reveals where homeowners and buyers are most likely to encounter the invasive plant.Japanese knotweed spreads rapidly and overwhelms other plants. It hibernates during the winter months before emerging when the ground temperature reaches around 4C.There are 220 verified sightings of knotweed across CambridgeshireIf left unmanaged, knotweed can cause damage to buildings, hinder property sales and lead to legal disputes if it spreads across property boundaries.Knotweed does not reproduce by seed in the UK since all the plants are female, but its root system can extend up to 7 metres laterally beneath the ground and once established, even tiny fragments of rhizome can regenerate into new plants.Cambridgeshire’s top 5 Japanese knotweed hotspots are as follows Cambridge – 40 verified sightings Peterborough – 37 verified sightings Wisbech – 13 verified sightings March – 10 verified sightings St Neots – 8 verified sightings Environet’s map for Japanese knotweed hotspotsHow to spot Japanese knotweed during summer Tall, upright canes which can reach 2 to 3 metres high. Dense clusters of stems emerge from a central crown in the ground. Large green shield-shaped leaves with a pointed tip grow alternately up the stem. By late summer, cone-shaped tassels of small creamy-white flowers emerge on the upper canopy. Environet director Emily Grant said, “Japanese knotweed is now firmly established right across the country, which means homeowners everywhere should know what to look for.“My advice to anyone living, or buying a home, in a Japanese knotweed hotspot is to check your garden regularly during the growing season. At this time of year, an established knotweed plant can be identified quite easily by its hard bamboo-like canes and distinctive bright green shield-shaped leaves which grow in a zig-zag pattern along the stem.“The earlier it’s spotted, the easier and cheaper it is to deal with. Acting quickly with professional advice will prevent it spreading further and help protect both your property and its value.”Continue Reading
James Justin: Every training session comes with pressure – Leeds United
With Daniel Farke’s squad reporting for pre-season testing at the start of the week, the hard yards are being put in as the players get back up to speed with the upcoming season just around the corner.Impressing in a debut term with the Whites last time around was James Justin, making 34 appearances for the club across a variety of positions and now aiming to build on that on the return to Premier League action. “It is exciting to be back with the lads and see everyone’s faces again,” the versatile full-back began, catching up with LUTV at Leeds Beckett University. “It has been quite a long off-season and, yeah, we are ready to get back to work.“I feel like over the last 10 years that I have been around it, it has changed dramatically. Everyone comes back fit and raring to go now. Everyone is in a good place so far and we are excited to get back on the pitches.”It has been a thoroughly enjoyable few months for James who, after playing his part in securing the Whites’ Premier League status, tied the knot at the start of the summer. With the wedding and honeymoon ticked off, attentions very quickly turned to the upcoming campaign’s preparations, with the 28-year-old recharged and raring to go after his time off.“It was amazing, the best day of my life and everything that I had hoped it would be,” he proudly said of getting married. “Football is a big thing but your family is always number one. Making them happy and proud is the most important thing to me. “It was great to have those moments after the cut and thrust of last season. It was nice to just completely switch off from football and take a step back, really.“Every game comes with pressure, every training session comes with pressure, and there is a lot of pressure at such a big club like this. So, it is key to have a bit of time to reset in the summer and hopefully everyone has done so.“I think the first run that they set us was the day after my wedding so a couple of days after that, I was focusing about getting my body in the right place, as well as enjoying time with family and having a bit of time off from the actual graft.”The club have already dipped into the transfer market, securing the services of Wales international Harry Wilson, whose fine season at Craven Cottage saw the forward earn Fulham’s Player of the Season accolade.Discussing the squad’s first new arrival, Justin added: “We know the type of player he is and what he has done over the last few seasons. He is a special player and he has got that quality that it is hard to come by, to be honest. “Hopefully he is a good addition to the squad and keeps us going in the right direction. Obviously, he knows loads of the lads already so I am sure he will bed properly in no time.”Daniel Farke’s squad have reported back for their first week of testing before they travel across the Atlantic for the much-anticipated US Tour this summer, where they will face Wrexham, Sunderland and Liverpool in three of the States’ most iconic venues.Discussing the upcoming trip, the England international is looking forward to playing once more in front of the Leeds United faithful and hopes a productive pre-season schedule will translate into performances in the Premier League.“Leeds is a worldwide club and hopefully we can have a few fans out there in the US and, yeah, see what it is like, the facilities, and make sure we are training right to be ready for the upcoming season.“Now, we are going to have new goals and we are excited for the upcoming season. The first thing is to get to safety mark. That is the baseline. “Last season was great and we finished 14th. That was a good start but backing it up season after season and growing on things and building things is the most difficult part.”
