UK News

In its opening statement on the first day of a trial expected to last at least two months, the prosecution explained how gas was supplied to homes and businesses in Jersey. Images were presented to the court showing how pipes led from a low pressure main outside Commercial Buildings, up …

A woman was stabbed and fatally smothered with a pillow by her two friends who “ransacked” her house, a jury has been told. Prosecutors allege that Helen Bloomfield, 52, was murdered by Amy Keely, 40, and Charlotte James, 29, at her flat in Braintree, Essex, in March 2024. Blood-stained scissors …

Prince George has officially started his first term at Eton College. The 13-year-old, who is second in line for the British throne, was dropped off at the all-boys boarding school by his parents, the Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales. The future king follows in the footsteps of …

A boyhood hobby has led a man to making it through to a semi-final appearance in the famous black Mastermind Chair. Chris Matterface, 54, from Pelsall, near Walsall, appeared on the BBC programme with his specialist subject the 2000 AD comics from the 1980s and 90s. Gaining a credible 23 …

In mitigation, Adele Graham said her client had no previous convictions and he had suffered a breakdown before setting off on the journey. Hall had felt trapped in his own home and wanted to get as far away from his life there as possible, she said. “This was an individual …

Reform UK’s Peter Harris, who has been leader of Essex County Council since local elections in May, said Rayner’s announcement was “amazing” and “brilliant news for our residents”. His council was one of several Conservative and Reform-run authorities in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex which were taking legal action against the …

Samantha Banner and her partner have been living without heating or hot water for most of her pregnancy, relying on washing in buckets filled with kettle-boiled water, camping showers, or travelling elsewhere. The couple are leaseholders of a flat at Admiral Court in Croydon, south London, where residents across the …

“In a second everything just changed,” the 27-year-old said. “I was stood on the side as he jumped in, but he didn’t come back up for a while, and when he did he was just floating face down,” she said. “I knew he wasn’t messing, so I dived in, and …

A council leader is stepping down from the role less than four months after taking up the position. Reform UK’s Graham Harrison was selected as Hartlepool Borough Council’s leader in May, after the party secured more seats than anyone else in the local election. In a statement on Monday, he …

The narrow peninsula at Eastney has only one road leading in and out, which demonstrators used to block coaches carrying the migrants from leaving the area. It led to a stand-off that lasted into the early hours of Monday. Portsmouth City Council said it was a “completely unsuitable location to …

Comedian Steve Coogan says a deal to acquire an historic cotton mill could “lead on to great things” as he helped lead regeneration plans in his hometown of Middleton, in Greater Manchester. Rochdale Borough Council said it had struck a deal to acquire Grade II-listed Warwick Mill, vacant for at …

A group of quad bikes weaving through city centre traffic, running red lights and almost hitting pedestrians has sparked fears that people could be seriously hurt unless action is taken. One Birmingham resident filmed the bikers on Hurst Street at about 18:00 BST on Sunday, with the bikes said to …

More young people are taking part in the Great North Run than ever before, according to the event’s organisers. Data from the Great Run Company, which runs the event, shows the proportion of runners aged 25 and under has almost doubled over the past five years, with more than 15% …

While farmers across the south of England count the cost of the hot, dry summer, some growers say they have benefited from the heatwave. Vineyards are reporting their earliest harvest on record, with the intense summer sun producing grapes that are much higher in sugar. Simon Priestman, of Little Waddon …

Tom Brumfitt, who lives in one of the small row of cottages by the side of the road, said he heard “loud bangs” as he lay in bed when the collision happened. Brumfitt, 69, said a man screaming “help” and “shouting for his mum” ran past the window a short …

In May 2011, police exhumed Baby April’s body at Bybrook Cemetery to gain a full DNA profile before she was reburied. However, the DNA sample did not lead to a breakthrough and the case remains unsolved. Officers said the woman visited the grave between 14:00 and 15:00 BST on Sunday …

Treatment usually involves skull reshaping surgery, which takes place within the first months of life. Over the last two decades, this has involved the use of stainless steel springs to gradually widen the gap, giving space for the brain to develop and for new bone to grow. But now experts …

A man is fighting for his life in hospital and nearby properties are being evacuated, police say. BBC News

Monty Don is to step down as the host of Gardeners’ World after more than 20 years, the BBC has announced. The 71-year-old, who is the programme’s longest-serving head gardener, will leave at the end of the current series. In a statement, Don said working on the show had been …

A new air show has been cancelled with less than a week to go, with the event organiser expected to go into liquidation. Hampshire Air Festival had been due to take place at Thruxton Aerodrome, near Andover, Hampshire, on Saturday and Sunday. Montserrat Events, which was behind the Victory Festival …