Staffordshire Police has confirmed three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the tragic discovery in Burntwood.Police were called to a property in Hazel Grove shortly before 9am on Tuesday (May 5) wirth ambulance crews called shortly after 9am.They found a man with significant injuries and despite the efforts of medics he could not be saved.Police officers have arrested two men, aged 32 and 27, and a woman, aged 33, on suspicion of murder.Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and the force is appealing for witnesses or anyone with any information to come forward on this link, by calling 101 or by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Category: Newcastle
Murder investigation live – man dies after ‘fight’ as dog stabbed
Family pay tribute to ‘wonderful’ teenager killed by fallen tree in park
Dubickas refereed football games on the weekend (Staffordshire Police)Family have paid tribute to a “wonderful” teenage boy who was “tragically and unfairly” killed by a fallen tree in a park on Saturday.Brodan Dubickas, 15, died at the scene in Holmcroft Road, Stafford at 7.30pm while he was playing with his friends in the park.His parents and three siblings, Corey, Kayla and Amelia, put out a statement via Staffordshire Police on Monday.“He truly was the best of us. His kindness and generosity were unmatched, and he lit up a room with his humour and his smile. You won’t find any bad words said about him, he was loved by so many,” they said of the teenager.Dubickas was a talented pool player (Staffordshire Police)A fan of playing pool, Dubickas played competitively four nights a week for the Luck Penny or Staffordshire Bull, his family said. He also loved football, playing for Stafford Falcons and refereeing multiple times a weekend.“He was able to do all this whilst still prioritising spending time with family and friends.”He was described as a “wonderful big brother” whose three siblings were heartbroken to lose their eldest brother.“He was always there for them,” the family said.“As parents, are lives have been shattered and will never be the same. The pain is unbearable, and the hole that has been left can never be filled. His massive potential will now never be realised, and this is, in itself, a tragedy.Dubickas’ school put out a statement on Sunday (Staffordshire Police)“We have been overwhelmed by the support, generosity and love, sent from far and wide, to both the family and Brodan. The tributes have been vast and incredibly touching. This is a credit to our son, and it goes to show the impact Brodan was able to have on those around him in his short life. For which, we can only say thank you.”Dubickas’ old school, Tillington Manor Primary School, paid tribute on Sunday to the “kind-hearted, respectful” former pupil.“He was a truly special young man; kind-hearted, respectful and full of warmth. He approached school life with curiosity and determination, and his gentle nature and positive spirit left a lasting impression on both staff and pupils alike,” said headteacher Mrs K Brockhurst.“It is incredibly difficult to comprehend that a life with so much promise has been cut so short, and our whole community is deeply saddened by this loss.”Mrs Brockhurst continued: “Although Brodan had moved on from Tillington Manor, he will always remain a valued part of our school family. We know that many within our community will be feeling this loss deeply, and our thoughts are with everyone who knew and cared for him.“We will look to honour and remember Brodan in a way that reflects the impact he had on our school and community, and in liaison with his family, at the right time.”
Parents’ anguish as Brodan, 15, played in Staffordshire park and never came home
RIP BrodanBrodan DubickasThe devastated family of a 15-year-old killed by a falling tree in a Staffordshire park have paid tribute to their loved-one. Brodan Dubickas had been playing in Holmcroft Park, in Stafford, on Saturday night.But the Sir Graham Balfour School pupil never returned home after tragedy struck.In a tribute, his family stated: “Our boy, Brodan Alan Dubickas, was tragically and unfairly taken from us while out playing with his friends in the park. He truly was the best of us. His kindness and generosity were unmatched and he lit up a room with his humour and his smile. You won’t find any bad words said about him, he was loved by so many.”He loved nothing more in life than playing pool which he managed to get to do competitively at least four-nights-a-week for the Luck Penny or Staffordshire Bull “A”. He loved his football, be it playing for Stafford Falcons or refereeing multiple times every weekend. He was able to do all this whilst still prioritising spending time with family and friends.“A wonderful big brother, he leaves behind three siblings Corey, Kayla and Amelia whose hearts are breaking right now. He took his role as the eldest with great pride and he was always there for them.Brodan Dubickas“As parents, our lives have been shattered and will never be the same. The pain is unbearable and the hole that has been left can never be filled. His massive potential will now never be realised, and this is, in itself, is a tragedy.“We have been overwhelmed by the support, generosity and love, sent from far and wide, to both the family and Brodan. The tributes have been vast and incredibly touching. This is a credit to our son, and it goes to show the impact Brodan was able to have on those around him in his short life. For which, we can only say thank you.“Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories. With love, Dad, Mum, Corey, Kayla and Amelia.”Staffordshire Police cordoned off Holmcroft Park at the height of the emergency services response.An online fundraising appeal has been set up in Brodan’s memory. To donate, click here.Get even more North Staffordshire exclusives – and it is free
South Staffordshire Sailing Club Welcomes the Public for Free Open Day on Monday 4 May
South Staffordshire Sailing Club Welcomes the Public for Free Open Day on Monday 4 May
by Samuel Bailey 3 May 07:04 BST
4 May 2026Sailing at South Staffs © James Croxford
South Staffs Open Day 2026 © SSSC
South Staffordshire Sailing Club is throwing open its doors this Bank Holiday Monday, 4 May, inviting the public to enjoy a free day of sailing, family activities, and waterside fun at its annual Open Day.
The award-winning club, based at Gailey near Stafford, is offering visitors the chance to get out on the water with fully supervised taster sessions for adults and children, including complete beginners. Experienced instructors and volunteers will be on hand throughout the day to introduce newcomers to the sport and showcase how accessible sailing can be for all ages.
The Open Day forms part of a national initiative to encourage more people into outdoor activity and grassroots sport. South Staffs, one of the Midlands’ most successful and welcoming sailing clubs, has a long history of producing national-level sailors while maintaining a strong family-friendly community at its heart.
Visitors will be able to try sailing for FREE, tour the club’s facilities, learn about training opportunities, and speak to members about how to get involved. Off the water, there will be refreshments, children’s activities, and opportunities to watch club sailors in action.
Club representatives say the event is designed to break down the perception that sailing is difficult or exclusive. With all equipment provided and no experience needed, the day offers a rare chance for local families to try something new in a safe, supportive environment.
The Open Day runs from 10am to 4pm, with free entry and no booking required. The club draws members from across Staffordshire, Wolverhampton, Walsall, and the wider West Midlands, and is expecting strong interest from the local community.
For anyone looking to discover a new hobby, enjoy time outdoors, or simply experience something different this Bank Holiday, South Staffordshire Sailing Club promises a warm welcome and a memorable day on the water.
For more information visit www.southstaffssailingclub.co.uk//event/1300133‘Impatient’ M6 motorists now facing £100 fines as police say ‘it isn’t clever’
In addition to the fine, motorists could see three points added to their licence14:12, 03 May 2026Updated 14:18, 03 May 202625 motorists ignored the red X lane closure signs on the M6 on May 1Dozens of ‘impatient’ motorists are facing fines and penalty points for ‘putting lives at risk’ on the M6.Red X lane closure signs were ignored by 25 motorway drivers in Staffordshire on Friday, May 1.The Staffordshire Road Crime Team said the signs were ‘there for a reason’ and could be highlighting a number of hazards.These could include a stranded vehicle, an emergency service presence, highways workers, or debris in a lane.READ MORE: Thunderstorms expected to hit 22 UK counties today – full listREAD MORE: Jeremy Clarkson ‘finally owns up’ to hobby he ‘never dared speak of’ for fear of being ‘cancelled’Motorists who ignored the signs were now looking at a £100 fine and three points on their licence.Taking to social media to highlight the importance of ‘paying attention’, the team said: “When you drive under a Red X, you’re not just being impatient – you’re putting lives at risk.”People working on our roads deserve to go home safely at the end of their shift.”Smart motorways rely on drivers paying attention and doing the right thing.”Ignoring the signs isn’t clever, and it’s definitely not worth it.”This week we saw how quickly a stranded vehicle can turn into serious injuries in under five minutes of a breakdown.”Take a second. Slow down. Move over. Because someone’s life could depend on it.”To all those who were patient and stayed out of the lane closures, we thank you and acknowledge there have been a number of serious motorway incidents this week that caused delays.”We always try to open the road as quickly and safely as we can.”
Tragedy as fallen tree kills teenage boy as police cordon remains in place
A teenage boy has died after sustaining injuries by a fallen tree in Stafford this evening with emergency services descending on the street at 6.30pm22:28, 02 May 2026Updated 22:34, 02 May 2026The teen was tragically pronounced dead at the scene(Image: StokeonTrentLive)A teenage boy has died after being injured by a fallen tree in a residential street, police have said.Emergency services were called to Holmcroft Road in the Holmcroft area of Stafford at around 6.30pm on Saturday following reports of a serious incident.Police officers, paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service and crews from Midlands Air Ambulance all rushed to the scene.Despite their efforts, the boy could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 7.30pm, Stoke on Trent reported.A large police cordon remains in place, with officers urging members of the public to avoid the area while enquiries continue.A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: “A teenage boy has sadly died after being injured by a fallen tree in Stafford.“We were called to Holmcroft Road shortly after the incident was reported to us. Officers went to the scene alongside paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service and Midlands Air Ambulance.“Tragically, nothing could be done to save the boy. He was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 7.30pm. His next of kin have been informed.“A large cordon has been put in place and we’re advising people to avoid the area while we carry out our enquiries.”
Shoplifter barred from Tesco, Morrisons, and Hobbycraft
Banned!
Carl Walker
A shoplifter has been banned from two Tesco stores. Carl Walker can no longer enter Crewe Tesco branches on Tommy’s Lane and Vernon Way.
The defendant is also banned from Morrisons, on Dunwoody Way, in Crewe, and from Hobbycraft, on Grand Junction Retail Park. It follows the granting of a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order.
Inspector Dan Welch, from Cheshire Police, said: “A Criminal Behaviour Order is just one of the tools that we can use to further protect communities from shoplifters like Walker, giving us additional powers if he breaches his conditions. That’s why anyone who encounters Walker breaching any of the restrictions is urged to contact Cheshire Police through our website or by ringing 101. We take shoplifting and crimes against retailers and businesses incredibly seriously and will continue to tackle these issues head-on.”
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First patient welcomed to brand new breast care unit in Staffordshire
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has welcomed its first patient to a brand new breast care unit.
Based at County Hospital, Stafford, the unit has four consultation rooms, an enhanced treatment room, three counselling rooms, two mammography rooms, two ultrasound rooms and state-of-the-art imaging technology.
It will be offering one-stop clinics, diagnostic imaging, outpatient care and support services in one dedicated space with the hope of providing a more joined-up and streamlined service for patients.
The previous unit, also at County Hospital, was no longer able to meet the demands of modern breast care.
The purpose built unit has been designed with the help of clinical teams to improve patient flow and privacy.
Those receiving treatment will not have to move to different areas of the hospital as frequently.
Helen Bishop, 59, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, was the first patient to be seen at the new unit.
The teaching assistant said: “The care that you get from the breast care team at UHNM is just phenomenal.
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“Right from the beginning, it’s the atmosphere that stands out, all the staff are so friendly and reassuring, and you can tell they work really well together.
“It was an honour to be the first patient at the new Breast Unit.
“The care I had in the old unit was fantastic, but this is even better for patients in the future.
“It feels really calm, which makes such a difference when you’re feeling nervous.
“Today was a big day for me because I was waiting for results, but even though it’s the first day here, everything felt relaxed and I was quickly put at ease.
“I can’t fault the care I’ve had at all.”
Mr Sekhar Marla, consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon, said: “This is an exciting day for the whole team.
“Our previous unit has served us well for many years, but this new facility allows us to deliver care in a way that better reflects how breast services work today.
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“We now have more space, improved facilities and a layout that supports better patient flow, privacy and overall experience.
“A lot of work has gone into the design, with staff closely involved throughout, and that’s made a real difference to how the unit works in practice.
“It also helps us to future-proof the service as the number of patients we see continues to grow, and it’s something colleagues across the region are already really interested in seeing.”
The unit is fitted with the latest diagnostic technology meaning that more tests can be carried out at County Hospital, reducing the need for patients to travel to the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Michelle Ellitts, superintendent radiographer, said: “Advances in technology and increasing referrals mean we need more space and facilities that support how we deliver care today.
“This new unit allows us to provide a smoother, more joined-up experience for patients, with better flow and the ability to carry out more tests in one place.
“Just as importantly, it creates a calm and reassuring environment at what can be a very frightening time.
“We want patients to feel they are in safe hands from the moment they walk through the door, and that’s not just about the equipment or the expertise, it’s about the whole environment and how it makes people feel.”
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Waste fire spreads to multiple gardens | Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service
We are reminding people to never burn waste in the garden, especially during warm weather, after a bonfire got out of control in Burton-upon-Trent.
Crews were called at 11.45am today (Friday 1 May) to Waterloo Street, following reports of a fire.
Two appliances attended the scene and found that a waste fire had spread to multiple gardens.
Crews used a main jet to extinguish the fire and nobody was reported injured.
Watch Manager David Brown attended the scene. He said: “The dry weather across Staffordshire recently increases the risk of fires spreading quickly.
“As we’ve seen in this incident, waste fires can quickly get out of control and damage nearby landscapes and wildlife.
“People should never burn waste in the garden, always take it to the local tip instead.”
For more outdoor fire tips, visit Safety outside.
British Pub Sim Nothing Ever Happens Here Heads To Steam
Solo developer Jack Somers, who works under the handle NoahsArkGames, has revealed Nothing Ever Happens Here, a slice-of-life sim set in Burntwood, a real town in southern Staffordshire just north of Birmingham. The game is set in 2011 and casts the player as an 18-year-old tasked with rebuilding their grandad’s pub, The Bell End, after he loses his license to sell alcohol. The restoration runs room by room.
Nothing Ever Happens Here is heading to early access on Steam in 2027, with a demo planned for Steam Next Fest later this year. Somers is also running a Discord server for players who want to follow development directly.
The structure pulls from two unlikely reference points. The driving and exploration owe to My Summer Car, with the player’s first car serving as the way out of the four walls of the pub. The social systems borrow from Grand Theft Auto 4. Somers is planning a friendship system that lets players go fishing with mates Ben and Harry down the canals, organize pool nights at The Bell End with Bradley, and field calls from grandad about brawls breaking out at the pub.
I see the Cousin Roman comparison Somers reaches for clearly in that last detail, and it gives the game a structural shape most slice-of-life sims avoid. The 2011 setting is not nostalgia for its own sake. Somers has said the narrative covers loneliness, isolation, the plight of the working class, British subcultures of the period, and coming of age, with redemption at its core. The grandad reads cold but wants the best for the player.
Parts of the game are loosely autobiographical. Somers has spoken about being visited by police at 17, getting kicked out of university, and running away from home more than once. None of those events appear directly in the game, but I think the trajectory they describe is what shapes the redemption arc he’s building toward.
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“In this game, your grandad is my real grandad, and he’s trying to cheer you up after you’ve bought your first, but very crap, car.”
— Jack Somers
Read also, Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth landed April 27, 2026, on PC and Nintendo Switch from Hyper Games and Kakehashi Games, a cozy successor to Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley.
