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Woman who stabbed abusive partner seeks retrial after conviction overturned

Prosecutors are seeking a retrial for Julie Ann McIlwaine after her murder conviction was overturned. The Court of Appeal found jurors were misdirected on the loss of control defence in the killing of her abusive partner James Joseph Crossley in March 2022. McIlwaine's defence team is arguing for...

4 min read

Norwegian Teen Sentenced to 20 Years for UK Murder Plot

A 19-year-old Norwegian has been sentenced to 20 years detention after being arrested with firearms in a Huddersfield hotel. Johannes Natland was convicted of conspiracy to murder for a Swedish organised crime group backed by Iran.

2 min read

Mother of four says pipe bomb attack was mistaken identity

A mother of four in north Belfast escaped a pipe bomb attack on her home, which she believes was a case of mistaken identity. The device detonated early Friday morning, but no injuries were reported.

2 min read

Sailor plucked from sinking yacht moments before it goes under in Bristol Channel

A sailor was rescued from his sinking yacht in the Bristol Channel on 28 August after RNLI crews from Porthcawl and The Mumbles responded in challenging conditions. The vessel had run aground and filled with water; the sailor was transferred to safety moments before it sank.

3 min read

PM Intervenes in School's Sibling Ban Row After Family's Heartbreak

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to intervene after a school's sibling attendance policy prevented a family with a severely disabled child from attending school events. The Catalyst Academies Trust says numbers must be controlled for safety reasons.

4 min read

Government cautions councils on high street pedestrianisation risks

The UK government has warned councils that pedestrianisation schemes require careful planning to avoid reducing accessibility and damaging local economies, while acknowledging such initiatives can make high streets more attractive and welcoming.

5 min read

Stormont demands 'fair funding package' as budget deadlock deepens

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly says Northern Ireland's executive cannot legally reach a balanced budget without more government funding, as it prepares to meet the Northern Ireland Secretary on Friday to press its case.

4 min read

Burnham to push devolution agenda during Scottish visit as Swinney eyes independence

Prime Minister Andy Burnham visits Scotland during the SNP conference to propose devolution partnerships with First Minister John Swinney, while reiterating that independence referendums remain off limits.

5 min read

Met must stop criminalising sex workers, officers say after Levy murders

Metropolitan Police officers say the force must stop criminalising street sex workers following failures exposed by serial offender Simon Levy's murders. The Met is piloting a new female liaison team in north London to build trust and encourage crime reporting.

8 min read

Reform UK faces scrutiny over vetting as councillor accuses ITV of election interference

Reform UK faces scrutiny over candidate vetting after an undercover investigation exposed gaps in screening processes. A senior councillor now accuses ITV of electoral interference after reporters participated in local election campaigns.

7 min read

Extreme pornography depicting choking and incest to be banned from November

From 6 November, possessing or publishing pornography depicting strangulation, incest, or adults role-playing as children under 16 becomes illegal. The ban follows a 2025 review finding such content was widespread and had normalised violence among young people.

5 min read

Donaldson's 15-year sentence creates 'complex challenge' for prison management

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson's 15-year sentence for child sex abuse poses significant management challenges for Northern Ireland's prison service, with experts warning that standard integrated regimes may be unviable and alternative solutions urgently needed.

5 min read