Man charged with arson after three Ashby house fires

Authorities have charged a man following a series of three interconnected house fires in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, a town in Leicestershire. The incidents occurred within a narrow timeframe early on Friday morning, prompting a rapid emergency response. The first fire was reported at 07:05 GMT on Holywell Avenue, followed shortly by another blaze at Prestop Drive at… Continue reading Man charged with arson after three Ashby house fires

Tourist tax expected to be introduced for London

The mayor of London has expressed cautious support for proposals to introduce a tourist tax on visitors who stay overnight in the city. This potential levy could be authorized through the forthcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, currently under consideration in Parliament, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves expected to grant local leaders, including Sir Sadiq… Continue reading Tourist tax expected to be introduced for London

Cluedo inventor's daughter hands over archives to Birmingham museum

The creation of the board game Cluedo traces back to an inventive project during the wartime blackouts of World War II, as recounted by the inventor’s daughter. Anthony Pratt, a professional musician based in Birmingham, devised the game to overcome the boredom that the blackout period brought. His wife, Elva, contributed by designing the original… Continue reading Cluedo inventor's daughter hands over archives to Birmingham museum

Victim of Tinder predator Christopher Harkins 'left penniless'

A mother of two was left without any savings after falling victim to a fraudulent scheme orchestrated by Christopher Harkins, a man she met through the dating app Tinder. The woman, who goes by the pseudonym Caitlyn, encountered Harkins in London during 2020. Initially, he tried to persuade her to join him on a holiday—an… Continue reading Victim of Tinder predator Christopher Harkins 'left penniless'

Inside the rise of a £1m Glastonbury tickets scammer

This text details a ticket scam involving a man named Miles Hart, who sold Glastonbury Festival tickets (particularly hospitality tickets purportedly linked to family connections) that he did not have or have the right to sell. Many people, including his friends and acquaintances, were defrauded of significant sums of money. The scam escalated in 2023… Continue reading Inside the rise of a £1m Glastonbury tickets scammer

Harry Potter star Rupert Grint: 'I'll never leave Ron's shadow'

Rupert Grint, best known for his role as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter film series, shared with the BBC that he doesn’t expect to ever fully emerge from the shadow of the character that defined much of his early career. More than a decade after the final installment of the franchise was released, Grint… Continue reading Harry Potter star Rupert Grint: 'I'll never leave Ron's shadow'

Birmingham father and son linked to £20m heroin hidden in juice boxes

Authorities have uncovered a significant heroin shipment hidden inside cartons of pomegranate juice, with the National Crime Agency (NCA) confirming the seizure involved over £20 million worth of the drug. The operation led to the sentencing of a father and son duo from Birmingham, Colin Bartlett, aged 54, and his 30-year-old son Lee Bartlett. Both… Continue reading Birmingham father and son linked to £20m heroin hidden in juice boxes

Sports tickets, hampers and vouchers for Welsh government staff

Over the past five years, staff within the Welsh government have accepted a variety of gifts, ranging from sports tickets to hampers, chocolates, flowers, and vouchers. These include entry to international rugby, football, and cricket matches, as well as items such as champagne, wine, and food hampers. Notably, attending the England versus New Zealand cricket… Continue reading Sports tickets, hampers and vouchers for Welsh government staff

Newspaper headlines: 'Andrew should give evidence' and Reeves discusses Budget

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has publicly suggested that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should be willing to provide evidence regarding his connections to the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. This viewpoint has appeared prominently across several Sunday newspapers, reiterating Starmer’s earlier comments from earlier in the month. The suggestion from the prime minister intensifies calls for the… Continue reading Newspaper headlines: 'Andrew should give evidence' and Reeves discusses Budget