A childminder from Dunfermline has confessed to leaving over 20 children she was responsible for alone and without supervision in her home. Amanda Mathewson, aged 55, admitted guilt at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court to charges of neglect and abandoning children in her care. These offences reportedly occurred in several locations throughout Dunfermline and other parts of… Continue reading Childminder who left 27 children alone in her home pleads guilty to neglect
Author: Dave Carter
Small inflatable boats 'set for people smugglers' seized at East Midlands Airport
In July, authorities intercepted a shipment at Felixstowe port in Suffolk, which contained 25 boats along with 25 engines. The shipment had been en route to Germany when it was seized. According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), these vessels could have been exploited by people smugglers to transport approximately 70 migrants in each boat… Continue reading Small inflatable boats 'set for people smugglers' seized at East Midlands Airport
GP Hannah Terry named as woman found dead in Dersingham home
A woman discovered deceased at her residence has been locally identified as a general practitioner. The body, belonging to Dr. Hannah Terry—also known as Hannah Cain—was found on Sunday at a home in Fern Hill, Dersingham, Norfolk. Norfolk Police reported that the ambulance service requested their attendance at the property shortly after 02:20 BST. Following… Continue reading GP Hannah Terry named as woman found dead in Dersingham home
One million UK people who have never smoked are now vapers
Recent data from the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals a significant rise in vaping among individuals who have never smoked cigarettes. In 2025, over one million people reported vaping either daily or occasionally, an increase from approximately 940,000 in 2024. Notably, the highest proportion of vapers is now within the 25 to 35… Continue reading One million UK people who have never smoked are now vapers
Lego fraudster among last year's most high-profile insurance scammers
A man who was imprisoned for fabricating home insurance claims related to supposedly stolen Lego has been named among the most prominent insurance fraud offenders of last year. He received a 28-month jail sentence after investigations revealed the claims were entirely fictitious, according to the insurance industry body ABI. The ABI also highlighted other significant… Continue reading Lego fraudster among last year's most high-profile insurance scammers
UK oil refinery broke toxic pollution limits dozens of times
Documents obtained exclusively by the BBC reveal that one of the United Kingdom’s largest oil refineries leaked pollutants into local rivers and the Mersey Estuary on numerous occasions throughout 2023 and 2024. EET Fuels, which operates the Stanlow refinery and was formerly known as Essar, admitted guilt earlier this year for 12 violations of environmental… Continue reading UK oil refinery broke toxic pollution limits dozens of times
Teen found dead on flooded A4110 failed by police, family say
A father grieving the loss of his son has expressed frustration, feeling that the police neglected his case after the young man went missing during severe flooding. Nineteen-year-old Alan Hirst was cycling home in Adforton, Herefordshire, in February when he apparently fell from his bicycle into floodwater on the A4110 road. It is believed that… Continue reading Teen found dead on flooded A4110 failed by police, family say
Thrombectomy: 'My treatment was a miracle' says stroke patient
When Gemma O’Hara experienced severe neck pain, nausea, and dizziness in the middle of the night, she immediately sensed that something was seriously wrong. The 40-year-old from Ballymena, County Antrim, had suffered a brain stem stroke shortly after returning from holiday. Fortunately, Gemma was able to undergo a thrombectomy—a procedure that removes blood clots and… Continue reading Thrombectomy: 'My treatment was a miracle' says stroke patient
Bath wheelchair user 'had to crawl' off GWR train from London
Phoebe Tesoriere, a 24-year-old wheelchair user, endured a distressing experience when she was forced to crawl on her hands and knees through a train after being denied the use of a ramp to disembark. The incident took place on a Great Western Railway (GWR) service traveling from London Paddington to Bath Spa, accompanied by her… Continue reading Bath wheelchair user 'had to crawl' off GWR train from London
Rise in babies in care proceedings raises fears of unnecessary adoptions, experts tell BBC
New research released by experts from Lancaster and Oxford universities reveals that a significant number of children in England enter care proceedings before reaching their first birthday. Over the past twenty years, cases involving infants in care have surged by 64%, now affecting roughly one in every 118 babies. Although these figures peaked during the… Continue reading Rise in babies in care proceedings raises fears of unnecessary adoptions, experts tell BBC