Category: Newcastle

Staffordshire Police are currently searching for missing man, David, 44, from Stafford.He was last seen in the Marston area yesterday (Monday 29 June) between 11am and 3pm.David is described as being around 6ft tall and of a slim build. He could have been wearing shorts and a t-shirt when he was last seen, with both either being black or grey. He may have also been wearing a baseball cap. David usually spends time in Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent.Anyone with information should call 101 or use Live Chat on the Staffordshire Police website, quoting incident 352 of 30 June.

Detectives say officers are ‘working round the clock’Central Forest ParkDetectives investigating a report of rape at city beauty spot have warned ‘false online claims’ could cause ‘significant damage’ to the probe. It comes as Staffordshire Police has said there have been claims online accusing the force of ‘deliberately withholding information over the possible ethnicity of the suspect’ over the Central Forest Park attack investigation.Today officers have said such claims are ‘completely false’. Now detectives have said the ‘false online claims’ could hinder the investigation.Officers had been called to the beauty spot – which sits between Sneyd Green and Hanley – at 12pm on June 17 where a woman in her 20s reported that she’d been raped. Police say the full description of the suspect, as they currently know it, is, it’s a man, around 6ft 2in tall, and of stocky build. He was wearing dark clothing including a dark hoodie – and was masked.A spokesperson for the constabulary said: “We are continuing to progress our enquiries into a report of a rape at Central Forest Park. Over the weekend, we have seen lots of commentary on social media suggesting that further descriptions of the suspect have been given to us, including the possible ethnicity.”This is not true. From the outset of this investigation, we have included as much information as we know in order to help us progress our enquiries. Claims suggesting we are deliberately withholding information over the possible ethnicity of the suspect are completely false.”Senior officers have urged witnesses to come forward and say detectives are ‘working round the clock’. Superintendent David Kelsall said: “Officers are continuing to work around the clock to investigate this report and to support the victim.“False claims online are not helping and can cause significant damage to the integrity of our investigation. I’d like to reassure local communities that we will use every tactic at our disposal to identify those suspected of sexual offences, no matter who they are.“If you haven’t already spoken to officers and you have information that can help, I’d urge you to get in touch.”Anyone with information should call 101 and quote incident 325 of June 17.Get daily headlines and breaking news emailed to you – it’s FREEEnsure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search

Staffordshire County Council © Ascannio / Shutterstock.com
Reform UK-led Staffordshire County Council has published a position paper setting out plans to remove equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) frameworks from the local authority.

The paper, titled Equality Before the Council, proposes scrapping EDI training modules, disbanding identity-based staff networks, ending diversity-related branding and campaigns, and resetting recruitment practices to focus on merit. A full audit of existing EDI policies across the council is also planned.

The council says existing training will be replaced with guidance focused solely on compliance with the Equality Act 2010.

Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice MP described it as ‘decisive action’ and said the paper would serve as a blueprint for other Reform-controlled councils across the country.

Council leader Cllr Martin Murray said the changes would ensure people were ‘judged on their ability, not on some EDI ideology.’

The position paper is being distributed to all Reform UK-controlled councils.

UNISON West Midlands head of local government Esther Fanos said: ‘Any changes proposed by Reform UK must be carefully assessed. There must be no weakening of protection and support for workers, or for anyone who uses the council’s services.

‘It’s a poor reflection on the party’s priorities if it opposes giving people an equal chance.’

Commenting on the move, a statement from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said: ‘As the EHRC’s website states, the Equality Act 2010 provides a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all. It provides Britain with a discrimination law which protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and more equal society.’

It went on to quote the EHRC chair, Mary-Ann Stephenson, who said: ‘Equality legislation is something that protects all of us. If you want to protect your own right to protest or to freedom of expression, you also have to recognise that the legislation that does that protects the rights of people you disagree with – and you have to respect that.’

For more on EDI in local government, check out The MJ (£) interview with PPMA president Sandra Farquharson.

Residents will now have to payResidents must now pay to have their brown bins taken away in the Moorlands(Image: Angela – stock.adobe.com)Families in the Moorlands must now pay to have their brown bins emptied. The £46 charge – the most expensive out of local councils – has come in today (June 29).The Sentinel had previously reported how Staffordshire Moorlands District Council had previously written to households warning them of the changes for garden waste collections. Meanwhile it also represents the most expensive out of local councils.Stoke-on-Trent City Council charges £42, the latest Newcastle Borough Council subscription is £43.59 while Stafford Borough Council charge families £43.50.The new charge for Moorlands residents is based on per bin so neighbours can share. Meanwhile those who don’t subscribe have been told they will need to keep their brown bins at their property.Those who do sign up will be sent a ‘garden waste permit’ to slap on the brown bin. Going live today the annual subscription will run through to June next year.A letter previously sent to households states: “Collecting garden waste is a discretionary service which the collection authority are permitted to make a charge for and, similar to local authority areas, the council has approved the decision to implement a charge to cover the cost of collection.”More on the subscription service can be found here.Get daily headlines and breaking news emailed to you – it’s FREEEnsure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search

They’ve all appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court or North Staffordshire Justice Centrestokesentinel Administrator16:00, 28 Jun 2026Kyle Varley, aged 22, denied assault by beating.Here are the latest cases from the region’s courts:KIDSGROVE: Eamonn O’Rourke, aged 36, and Karly Parfitt, aged 19, of Victoria Court, Kidsgrove, have both admitted three charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on June 6, 2025. O’Rourke also admitted possession of the class A drug cocaine and possession of the class B drug cannabis on the same date. They will be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in the week commencing August 10 after reports have been prepared on them by a probation service officer. Their bail was extended.LONGTON: Twenty-five-year-old Keeley Dwyer, of King Street, Longton, was convicted of possession of a knife or a bladed article in a public place at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on January 9. She will be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on August 12, after a report has been prepared on her by a probation service officer. Her bail was extended.NEWCASTLE: Twenty-four-year-old Nicholas Goodridge, of Dunkirk Court, Newcastle, denies charges of controlling or coercive behaviour, strangulation, and making a threat to kill. His trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court has now been put back to January 4, 2028. It is expected to last three days. His bail was renewed.BLURTON: Thirty-seven-year-old John Teague, of Jesmond Grove, Blurton, has pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of the class A drug cocaine to another between April 21, 2023 and November 6, 2023. He will be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on July 7. His bail was extended.TRENT VALE: Twenty-two-year-old Kyle Varley, of Greyswood Road, Trent Vale, has denied a charge of assault by beating on November 30. His trial will be held at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on October 23 and his bail was extended.Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search

They’ll help the regeneration in Meir North, Bentilee and Ubberley, and Bradeley and Chell HeathAuthor: Adam SmithPublished 6 hours agoStoke-on-Trent is launching neighbourhood boards in Meir North, Bentilee and Ubberley, and Bradeley and Chell Heath, where residents will determine the use of £60 million in government funding.Each area is set to receive £20 million over 10 years as part of the Pride in Place initiative aimed at addressing local deprivation. Stoke-on-Trent City Council is working with MPs and voluntary organisations to set up the boards, which will be composed of local people responsible for creating 10-year regeneration plans. Plans could involve revitalising shops, improving community spaces, or enhancing skills. Board membership will be finalised in summer 2026, with plans due by February 2027. Independent chairs will lead the boards to ensure priorities are community-focused. Over time, the boards may become community-led entities like co-operatives or charities. Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

The retail park has seen several dispersal orders in recent weeks16:33, 27 Jun 2026Updated 16:37, 27 Jun 2026Wolstanton retail parkA Section 34 dispersal order has been put in place at a retail park in Newcastle-under-Lyme – for yet another weekend.The order, which gives officers the power to direct individuals from identified areas for up for 48 hours, has been issued at Wolstanton Retail Park in Newcastle-under-Lyme from 9pm today, Saturday, June, 26, until 6am on Sunday. The same order was in place from 9pm yesterday, June 26, until 6am today.Dispersal orders have been in place at the retail park every weekend since the start of the month in an effort to prevent antisocial behaviour and car cruising, police say. Festival Park, in Stoke-on-Trent, will also be under a section 34 dispersal order through the night.On Facebook, Stoke-on-Trent Police said: “We remain committed to tackling car cruising and vehicle related ASB across Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.”To report ASB in your area, call 101 or use Live Chat on our website. To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”Community news with InYourAreaInYourArea gives you the community news you need. Find out about events where you live, the latest news, property for sale and all the local planning and council notices. All the local updates straight to your inbox!You can sign up here.Get email alerts for the latest top stories from Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire

Multan Courtyard is promising ‘luxury dining’14:16, 18 Jun 2026Updated 05:35, 27 Jun 2026Multan Courtyard is opening in BurslemA town centre restaurant is ‘opening soon’. Multan Courtyard is opening on St John’s Square, in Burslem.It is in the former Agie and Katie restaurant which closed down in 2023 following seven years in Burslem.Now Multan Courtyard is tantalising tastebuds with a ‘breakfast buffet, lamb roast, and authentic Pakistani’ meals.A banner outside the restaurant states: “Multan Courtyard opening soon. First time in Stoke-on-Trent with premium cuisine and taste.”Get even more North Staffordshire exclusives – and it is free

A pilot scheme using voice-activated technology to help socially isolated residents in rural Staffordshire stay connected and live more independently has been hailed as a success.
Staffordshire County Council has been running the assistive technology pilot in partnership with Staffordshire Moorlands and South Staffordshire district councils in both areas over the last six months.
It’s part of the county council’s wider commitment to using digital innovation to improve lives and deliver more inclusive services. 
Smart devices have been provided to people at risk of digital exclusion or loneliness, helping them stay in touch with others, access information and support their wellbeing. 
WATCH: Fred and daughter Janice explain how the smart device has helped to keep them connected.
The pilot uses voice-activated smart speaker devices, managed on a remote platform. Devices offer access to news, reminders, entertainment, and video calls – all tailored to individual needs and preferences. Unlike an off-the-shelf device, devices are pre-configured and centrally managed, meaning no technical setup is required by the user and on-screen content can be tailored to the individual’s needs.
The scheme aims to: 

Reduce social isolation and loneliness 
Improve digital confidence and inclusion 
Support healthy routines through reminders and wellbeing prompts for things like medication and hydration 
Enhance access to local services and community events 

One resident said: “I love it. It’s better than a mobile and really helps as I have arthritis in my hands and I don’t have to hit any keys or touch anything.”
Another said: “This is a gamechanger for my daughter as it gives her peace of mind.”
A full evaluation will assess the impact of the 12-month pilot when it ends and could then be rolled out to other areas.
Andrew Mynors, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Connectivity, said: 
We’re always looking at new and innovative ways to support our residents, especially those in more rural or isolated communities. This pilot is a great example of how digital technology can make a real difference to people’s lives.  
The feedback from those involved has been fantastic and is invaluable to our team in shaping the scheme moving forward. 
It’s our priority to make sure that all our residents – wherever they live in the county and whatever their needs or age – can lead independent, fulfilling lives as no-one should be isolated in today’s society. This project is about giving people the tools and confidence to stay connected and lead happy, healthy lives at home for as long as possible.”  

Karen Riley, customer engagement team manager, welfare services at South Staffordshire Council, said: 
It’s been truly rewarding to witness the significant changes these devices have brought about in the lives of those we support. Perhaps most importantly, these devices have given families a genuine sense of peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are safer and more connected. 
I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with team members to identify vulnerable adults who could benefit from our device initiative. Together, we’ve not only provided these devices to those in need but have also supported them in developing and expanding the services these devices can offer. 
Thank you to everyone who has been involved in making this progress possible. I look forward to continuing our efforts and seeing even greater positive impacts in the community.”

Welcome back!13:21, 25 Jun 2026Updated 05:34, 26 Jun 2026The Rising Sun, in Middlewich Road, in WistastonA pub is reopening today after a 26-day makeover. Hospitality giant Greene King shut The Rising Sun – on Middlewich Road, in Wistaston – on June 1.The makeover has included a ‘full refresh of the interior with an enhanced bar area, expanded seating and stylish new furnishings’. Additional outdoor furniture has been added – with new signs too.Now the venue reopens on Friday 26 June.In a social media post, The Rising Sun stated: “We can’t wait to welcome you back when we reopen on Friday 26 June.”Get even more North Staffordshire exclusives – and it is free