A Leicester drug kingpin’s network crumbled after a police operation.
Leicestershire Police identified Sarju Khushal, 31, as one of the ringleaders of the organised crime group.
Khushal, formerly of Hazeldene Road, Leicester, would buy cocaine and heroin in wholesale amounts, then split that stock up and supply both other drug dealers and users.
Searches of the address saw officers recover a large quantity of class A and B drugs, drug paraphernalia, numerous devices and cash.
He lived at the home with his partner Saffron Franklin, 30, who assisted him in operating his business.
The investigation found that other men were involved in the operation at various levels – Kenneth Galloway, Mohammod Jahed and Kian Senior were also involved in the supply of controlled drugs.
Galloway, 31, formerly of Myrtle Road, Leicester, was involved in dealing cocaine and heroin, selling those drugs both at street level and to other dealers.
Jahed, 30, formerly of Coleman Close, Leicester, was a dealer who supplied drugs purchased from Khushal, returning substantial sums of money to him in return.
Senior, 31, formerly of Thorpe Field Drive, Leicester, was similarly a dealer who supplied significant quantities of drug from Khushal.
Khushal, was jailed in March last year for 11 years, and was sentenced on the basis he had supplied 19kg of the illegal drugs.
A trial at Leicester Crown Court saw the others involved sentenced recently.
Franklin pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs – heroin and cocaine – and possession of criminal property.
She was sentenced to two years in prison, however the sentence was suspended for two and a half years.
Galloway pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, and was sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison.
Jahed pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, and was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison.
Senior pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, and was sentenced to six years and three months in prison.
Read the full story here.
Author: admin
The killer, the police officer and the drug pushers locked up in May
Motorcyclist dies in two-vehicle crash in Leicestershire
A motorcyclist has died in a crash in Leicestershire.Leicestershire Police said it was called at 20:22 BST on Thursday to reports of a crash in Melton Road, Church Langton, involving a blue Ford Ranger and a grey Honda CBR. The motorcyclist, a man in his 50s, sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene, police said. It added the driver of the Ford Ranger suffered minor injuries.Officers asked anyone who may have seen the crash or the vehicles beforehand to contact the force.
City’s children’s services improve after ‘significant financial investment’
A council’s children’s services were rated inadequate in 2024 after a ‘deterioration in the quality of practice’Peterborough Town Hall(Image: Copyright Unknown)A council has been praised for “driving improvements” in its children’s services, after it was deemed inadequate in 2024. Peterborough City Council’s children’s services were rated as inadequate after an Ofsted inspection at the end of 2023.Previously rated good in 2018, inspectors said there had been a “deterioration in the quality of practice”, following the 2023 inspection. Since then, Ofsted has been carrying out monitoring visits into the council’s children’s services.The latest took place on February 24 where inspectors reviewed the council’s response to children experiencing neglect. Inspectors praised the council for remaining “committed and ambitious for children and families”.They added: “There is strong corporate and political support and children’s services have benefitted from significant financial investment. The director of children’s services and the stable leadership team continue to drive improvements across the service.”The reports also said the overall response to children experiencing neglect had improved. While there was praise for the council’s improvements, there continued to be delays in responding to some children in the multi-agency safeguarding hub due to “capacity issues”.During the visit, inspectors said staff made “appropriate referrals” to children’s services for children requiring help and protection due to potential neglect. Social workers were also praised about their “robust analysis of children’s needs” when looking at the functioning of a family.When dealing with children out of hours, the commissioned emergency duty team (EDT) were praised for having an “effective interface”. Social workers were also praised for children having “positive and enduring relationships” with them.Inspectors also said action was taken “appropriately” when children continued to experience harm due to neglect from their parents. The report added that leaders had focused on recruitment and retention to “improve the stability of the workforce”.Inspectors said: “This is showing promising results, with some social workers converting from agency to permanent posts, citing a positive work environment as informing their decisions.”Councillor Katy Cole, cabinet member for children and young people at Peterborough City Council, said: “We are pleased with the outcome of this latest monitoring visit which acknowledges the ongoing progress we have made to achieve better outcomes for all children.”We remain committed and ambitious for children and families and we continue to drive improvements across the service, including for children who have experienced potential neglect.”I want to thank practitioners and staff for their hard work and continued dedication to the children and families of Peterborough. Our administration is fully focussed on working collaboratively and effectively to continue to improve this vital service.“As we now build to our next full ILACs inspection this Labour led coalition is determined to make the changes needed to ensure all children in this city thrive, are safe and able to succeed in life.”
The parts of the Midlands where people are buying their own homes aged just 27
Getting onto the property ladder in your 20s may seem like an impossible goal for many aspiring homeowners, but research by a major mortgage provider shows that in some parts of the UK, the typical first-time buyer is as young as 27.The West Midlands features prominently on the list, with three areas of Staffordshire appearing amongst those with the lowest first-time buyer ages, according to Lloyds.South Staffordshire and Cannock Chase both recorded an average first-time buyer age of just over 27.As well as highlighting the youngest typical first-time buyers, Lloyds also looked at the most affordable locations across the UK for those attempting to get onto the property ladder, spotlighting areas where buying a home may be more achievable.East Ayrshire in Scotland was identified as the most affordable location, based on the average price paid by first-time buyers. The typical first-time buyer property price in East Ayrshire stands at £147,353, according to Lloyds, which highlighted that the region benefits from excellent links to Scotland’s central belt, with access to Glasgow and neighbouring job centres, reports Birmingham Live.This could allow buyers to combine countryside living with a manageable commute to work.Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Lloyds, said: “Our research shows there are still genuine pockets of value for first‐time buyers, particularly for those with an open mind who are willing to be flexible on location and property type.”With ongoing cost-of-living pressures and wider economic uncertainty, it’s completely understandable that some people are feeling cautious.”But there are opportunities out there, and for many buyers, that flexibility can make a real difference.”The data comes from Lloyds Banking Group’s housing statistics records, drawing on mortgage approval information from Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland customers. Average house prices were assessed across the 12 months leading up to February.Providing general advice to those looking to buy their first home, Ms Bryden urged them to research the property purchasing process thoroughly, speak to a mortgage adviser early on and look into the various types of support available.Last week, Lloyds announced it is launching a new low-deposit mortgage which could help first-time buyers get onto the housing ladder with a deposit of only £5,000.Below are the top 10 locations with the youngest average ages for UK first-time buyers, showing the average age and typical property price for first-time purchasers, according to Lloyds:1. Ribble Valley, North West, 27.0, £219,9802. South Staffordshire, West Midlands, 27.8, £259,6783. Pendle, North West, 27.9, £188,1364. Rutland, East Midlands, 28.1, £281,1305. Cannock Chase, West Midlands, 28.3, £213,3996. North Norfolk, Eastern England, 28.4, £242,3187. Staffordshire Moorlands, West Midlands, 28.5, £219,616=8. Chorley, North West, 28.7, £221,232=8. Mid Suffolk, Eastern England, 28.7, £289,37210. Westmorland and Furness, North West, 28.8, £212,848Below are the top 10 most affordable locations for UK first-time buyers, according to Lloyds, showing the average property price for first-time purchasers:1. East Ayrshire, Scotland, £147,3532. Inverclyde, Scotland, £149,9293. Blackpool, North West, £150,7804. Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire and the Humber, £151,1715. Na h-Eileanan Siar, Scotland, £155,3006. Hyndburn, North West, £155,9117. Clackmannanshire, Scotland, £156,0418. Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, £156,4989. South Tyneside, North East, £157,55110. West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, £159,437Below are the most affordable locations for first-time buyers across each UK region, according to Lloyds, showing the average property price for first-time purchasers:East Midlands, Bolsover, £191,564East of England, Great Yarmouth, £236,447London, Barking and Dagenham, £363,748North East, South Tyneside, £157,551North West, Blackpool, £150,780Northern Ireland, Mid and East Antrim, £175,308Scotland, East Ayrshire, £147,353South East, Gosport, £228,617South West, Plymouth, £216,166Wales, Merthyr Tydfil, £156,498West Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, £171,569Yorkshire and the Humber, Kingston upon Hull, £151,171Get daily headlines and breaking news emailed to you – it’s FREE
Liverpool festival announces venue change ahead of event
The festival is scheduled to take place next weekendLiverpool Feis Crowds at The Pierhead 7th July 2018(Image: David Munn Photography)The organisers of an Irish music festival in Liverpool have confirmed a change of venue just days before the event is due to take place. The Fields of Éire Irish Music Festival is the successor to the short-lived Feis, which came to Liverpool’s Pier Head in 2018. The ECHO reported this morning (May 29) that the festival would no longer take place at Newsham Park, but organisers had promised a new venue would be announced this morning.Organisers claimed Liverpool City Council removed permission for it to use Newsham Park as the festival site due to security concerns related to Martyn’s Law.Officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, the law aims to improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK by requiring that those responsible for certain premises and events consider how they would respond to a terrorist attack.In addition to this, at certain larger premises and events, appropriate steps to reduce vulnerability to terrorist attacks must also be considered. It is named after Martyn Hett, who died in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.In its own statement published later in the evening, Liverpool City Council said its safety concerns had “not been sufficiently addressed”.Newsham Park has previously held outdoor music events in the past.Now, organisers of Fields of Éire have confirmed it will go ahead on its original dates, Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6, at Liverpool’s Olympia venue on West Derby Road.A post on their Facebook page reads: “We have a massive update regarding our new home for Fields of Éire. As you know, our original plan was to dance together at Newsham Park.”When Liverpool City Council pulled our land use agreement there at the final hour, we quickly lined up Aintree Racecourse to save the event. However, we have been listening closely to your feedback over the last 24 hours.”Many of you were gutted about moving so far out of the area you originally planned for. We heard you loud and clear, and we have pivot plans in place!”To keep the festival right in the community where it belongs, we are moving Fields of Éire to the legendary, beautiful Olympia Theatre! Best of all? The Olympia is just up the road from Newsham Park, keeping us in the exact same local footprint.”You won’t need to completely change your travel, booking arrangements, or local stays. By moving to the Olympia, we are transforming the weekend into a massive fully indoor festival experience. Rain or shine, the craic is 100% protected in an incredible venue with an electric atmosphere.”If you need a taste of the vibes, Kingfishr absolutely smashed it here just the other week, and Irish legends The Saw Doctors have also graced this iconic stage.”VIP tickets will automatically allocated to the seating areas for the best premium views in the house. Standard tickets will be allocated to the standing areas right in front of the main stage.Further updates on the festival can be found in the ECHO’s What’s On section.
Birdwatching is the ideal de-stressing hobby for young people
MY DAUGHTERS regularly send me photos of birds on WhatsApp.‘Look at these lads,’ one will caption a picture of crows foraging on a grass verge. ‘Mum I bet you wish you were here,’ the other will write, under a picture of a hopeful crow perched on a chair at her table at an outdoor café.So far this year I have received pictures including robins, herons, red kites, pigeons and parakeets, the latter who regularly raid the cherry tree outside my eldest daughter’s London flat – she often sends pictures of their bright green bodies and long tails twirling about in the branches. My youngest daughter sent pictures from a hide in Walthamstow Wetlands, where she and friend were observing the birdlife.My daughters are young adults, but have grown up with a keen interest in birds. They were raised in a home where the weekly bird food bill surpassed that of the food shop. While we were dining on budget brands, our garden visitors were tucking into premium seed mix and superior fat balls. It’s a garden, which continues to welcome all comers, including the much-maligned magpie, although crows always come first. We have all but hand raised at least ten families of crows, the latest of which is now feeding its young. And, of course, we have many small garden birds, who, as I often say, ‘eat us out of house and home’.I like that my daughters notice and enjoy watching birds. They are not birdwatchers in the official sense, more casual observers, but they can identify most birds they come across each day, and often comment on hearing birdsong around their city homes.I was pleased to read that research by the RSPB suggests more than 700,000 people aged 16 to 29 – collectively described as Gen Z – regularly enjoy watching birds in Britain, a more than tenfold rise since 2018. No longer seen as an older person’s pastime, birdwatching is now the second fastest-growing hobby for Gen Z after, bizarrely, jewellery making.Younger birders cite birdwatching as an easy, accessible, free way to break away from hours spent looking at screens, enabling them to relax, de-stress and improve their mental health.Here in Yorkshire, managers at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, one of the UK’s largest bird sanctuaries, say they have seen a “significant increase” in the number of younger visitors. Visitor manage Poppy Rummery said younger people increasingly understood the benefits of getting outdoors and experiencing nature.Great tit PAWhile birdwatching helps young people to break from technology, it does play a role in helping them to enjoy their hobby and give others an insight into it. Gen Zers are sharing their sightings and birding adventures on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit. Special birding apps are growing in popularity, with AI helping young people learn to identify species. Apps like Merlin Bird ID allow users to record bird song with their phones, with the app telling them which birds are singing. I might try and have a go with that myself.The beauty of watching birds is that it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. At a basic level, when you’re out and about all you need is your own eyes and ears. If you want to get up close and personal, a pair of binoculars – which come in a range of prices, or you can buy secondhand – is all you need.Watching birds is certainly a way of relieving stress. When I am working from home I can see the bird feeder beside the window and often find myself staring out, watching them coming and going. It’s an instant, therapeutic switch-off from the daily routine.
Woman held in murder inquiry after body found in parked van in Leicester
The force said inquiries to locate the man’s next of kin were under way.Det Insp Kevin Hames, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit’s major crime team, said the man was found inside a white Ford Transit van with the registration BF18 VNV. “Officers are appealing for anyone who may have seen this van in Garden Street or other parts of Leicester and Leicestershire to get in touch,” he added.”This includes anyone who may have seen the van where they live or work to get in touch.”I’d like to extend this appeal to anyone who may have captured its movements on CCTV or a dashcam.”
Appeal for 49 affordable homes in village with only one bus per day dismissed
Residents feared the development would destroy a ‘valued asset’ and overwhelm ‘limited services’The field in Isleham seen from Sun Street(Image: Google Maps)A developer has lost an appeal to build 49 affordable homes in a village which residents feared would overwhelm the local school. Isleham Parish Council said the site is “one of the few remaining open spaces” in the village with “a strong reflection of its rural setting, nature and agricultural connections”.They said the land is a “valued asset” and the village has seen “significant recent growth” and has “limited services”. East Cambridgeshire District Council agreed and rejected the plans in 2024 – but an appeal was launched by Abbey Properties Cambridgeshire Ltd and Robin Diver.A hearing was held by The Planning Inspectorate on March 24 and 25, 2026. Inspector P Hanna visited the site on the second day.The council said that two other planning applications would likely already meet Isleham’s need for 47 new homes. The inspector said it “cannot be presumed” these “will respond directly to the local need, unlike the current proposal”.They added: “Indeed, even the council only go as far as saying that identified need is ‘very likely’ to be met by the two approved developments. Whilst the levels of local need may fluctuate, I am satisfied that the proposal would meet an identified need that may not be delivered by the sites within the settlement boundary or by existing planning permissions.”They said the farmland was formerly a chalk pit and is lined with “dense hedgerows and woodland” and “high distinctiveness habitat”, some of which would be lost if developed. Though a replacement was suggested by the developer, the council were concerned this hedgerow “would not represent like for like replacement under the trading rules”.The inspector added that even with the developer’s “own final metric calculation” it would fail to meet the minimum requirement. It was also noted that Isleham has “relatively poor existing public transport” with just one return bus service per day from Monday to Saturday and two on Tuesday and Saturday.Inspector Hanna said the plans fall short in terms of “reducing car usage” but the rural location would “justify a more pragmatic approach”. They also said the village itself “contains a wide range of services and facilities” including two industrial estates which still makes it “highly sustainable” in terms of employment.Commenting on school capacity, they said the lack of places at the primary school was “a matter for the education authority to deal with”. Inspector Hanna added that if children were unable to attend Isleham Primary, “there is no substantive evidence before me to suggest that a sustainable form of school transport could not be provided, such as a school bus”.The inspector concluded that the benefits of the proposal would not outweigh the harms and dismissed the appeal.
Staffordshire care home to host free mobility session
A Staffordshire care home is inviting members of the community to attend a free mobility session.Shoemaker Place Care Home in Stone, part of the Borough Care group, will be hosting a mobility and physio session in collaboration with Active Life Physio Care.The session, which will include mobility advice and free walking aid assessments, will take place on Friday 12 June from 2pm to 4pm.Sharon Parkes, Customer Relationship Manager at Borough Care, said: “Members of the local community can bring their loved ones along for free mobility checks and physio advice.”Anyone caring for a loved one with mobility issues across Stoke-on-Trent, North Staffordshire and Stone who believe they might benefit from the session is welcome to attend.Active Life Physio Care provides private home visit and care home physiotherapy across Staffordshire to help older adults maintain mobility, confidence and independence.A spokesperson for Active Life Physio Care said: Join Active Life Physio Care for a friendly and informative presentation about how physiotherapy can help improve mobility, reduce pain, prevent injury and support a better quality of life.”To find out more about Borough Care, visit the website here.
advertisement
This is a sponsored article. If it wasn’t for sponsors like Borough Care our news site would not be possible – thank you.If you own a local business and would like to sponsor us, get in touch at [email protected].
Report: Liverpool face Man City battle to sign £10.3m midfielder
Liverpool Make Formal Offer for Kenneth Eichhorn as Man City Battle EmergesLiverpool have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Hertha Berlin midfielder Kenneth Eichhorn, with TeamTalk reporting that the Reds have submitted a ‘formal offer’ for one of Europe’s most highly regarded teenage talents.The 16-year-old has been gathering attention across the continent after a breakthrough campaign in Germany, and the race for his signature now appears to be intensifying. Earlier this week, Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claimed Liverpool had held ‘concrete talks’ for Eichhorn, who was described via X as a ‘wonderkid’.🚨💣 EXCLUSIVE | Liverpool have entered the race very concretely for 16 y/o wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn. Concrete talks have already taken place, as sources from England confirm. #LFCEichhorn is planning to leave Hertha BSC in the summer. Release clause worth around €10-12m. – Monday, 25 May 2026That interest has now seemingly moved into a more advanced phase. According to TeamTalk, Liverpool’s proposal is said to be ‘similar’ to one already placed by Manchester City, with the player also being watched by ‘some of the biggest clubs in Europe’.Man City Competition Raises Transfer StakesThe presence of Manchester City in this race gives the story added significance. Liverpool and City have regularly competed at the top end of the Premier League, and that rivalry increasingly extends into recruitment.Eichhorn’s reported release clause, believed to be between €10m and €12m, around £8.6m to £10.3m, makes him an attainable option for elite clubs. For Liverpool, that sort of fee represents a calculated long-term investment rather than an immediate first-team gamble.TeamTalk’s report also states that, should either Liverpool or City secure the midfielder, the intention would be to loan him back to a club in Germany for two seasons. That is a logical strategy, particularly because FIFA rules prevent international transfers for players under the age of 18. Eichhorn turns 18 in July 2027, meaning any Premier League move would need careful planning.Eichhorn Profile Fits Long-Term Liverpool ThinkingEichhorn made 19 senior appearances for Hertha Berlin during the 2025/26 season, scoring twice in all competitions as the club finished seventh in 2. Bundesliga. For a player of his age, that level of exposure is significant.He is primarily a defensive midfielder, a position Liverpool supporters have repeatedly identified as a key area for strengthening. John Aldridge has urged FSG to prioritise that role this summer, although Eichhorn would clearly arrive as a future asset rather than an instant starter for Arne Slot.That distinction matters. Liverpool need senior solutions in the present, especially if they are serious about reshaping the midfield balance under Slot. Eichhorn would be a recruitment department move, one based on projection, value and elite potential.Transfer Race Could Define Summer StrategyIf Liverpool can beat Manchester City to Eichhorn, it would feel like an important statement. City have already landed prominent Liverpool targets Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo, so winning this particular race would carry symbolic weight as well as footballing value.The key will be pathway. Young players need more than a big club badge, they need minutes, development and trust. A two-year plan in Germany could allow Eichhorn to mature physically and tactically before being integrated into English football.TeamTalk’s reporting places Liverpool firmly in the conversation, and this is exactly the sort of recruitment battle that can shape future squads long before the player becomes a household name.Our View – Anfield Index AnalysisThis report is exciting because it suggests the club are still trying to get ahead of the market. Kenneth Eichhorn may not be the defensive midfielder supporters are demanding for next season, but elite clubs do not wait until a player becomes obvious to everyone.At 16, with senior football already behind him, Eichhorn sounds like the type of profile Liverpool should be monitoring aggressively. The fee being discussed is modest by Premier League standards, especially for a player with potential resale value and a clear developmental pathway.There is also a City angle that cannot be ignored. Liverpool losing out on Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City was frustrating, so supporters would enjoy seeing the club win this battle. It would not fix the first team immediately, but it would restore some confidence in Liverpool’s ability to compete for elite prospects.The caution is clear. Fans should not confuse this with solving the number six issue for Arne Slot. Liverpool still need a proven, senior defensive midfielder who can influence games now. Eichhorn would be one for 2027 and beyond.Still, if TeamTalk’s report proves accurate, this is a smart move. Liverpool should be ambitious at both ends of the market, ready-made quality today, high-ceiling talent tomorrow.View publisher imprintShare this article
