Summary

  • Updates on Friday, 14 July 2017

  • Easyjet readies post-Brexit EU-based airline

  • Council opposes fire service to come under control of PCC

  • Hemel Hempstead residents crowdfund for 74-year-old's garden

  • MK Dons 'beat other clubs' to secure Landell on loan

  • Valtteri Bottas fastest in first practice, Lewis Hamilton second

  1. Hospice 'ventilator error' killed womanpublished at 19:44 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    Emily Bushaway died after a part of her ventilator was discarded at Helen & Douglas House an inquest hears.

    Read More
  2. Your live coverage for todaypublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    Sarah Jenkins
    BBC Local Live

    That's it from your Local Live team on this sunny Wednesday - thanks for your company.

    We'll be back to do it all again from 08:00 tomorrow.

    Don't forget you can still get in touch - just click or tap on the Get Involved button at the top of the page.

    And if anything should break later or overnight - it'll still appear here.

    In the meantime, here's a pretty picture of the bobbly clouds over Stevenage, snapped by our busy Weather Watcher Carla's Garden.

    Have a lovely evening.

    stevenageImage source, BBC Weather Watchers
  3. Wednesday weather: Staying dry and sunny into tomorrowpublished at 17:53 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    Alex Dolan
    BBC Look East weather

    Tonight: Staying dry with further spells of sunshine and patchy cloud across the East. Clear spells and light winds will develop overnight. Expect a little bit of mist in there. Lows of 10C (50F).

    Tomorrow: A dry and bright start with sunny spells, but it'll turn cloudier later with the chance of an isolated shower. Winds will be light, south-westerly. Highs of 21C (70F).

    weather wed lateImage source, BBC Weather

    BBC Weather has more.

  4. Two men left with 'life-threatening injuries' after gang attackpublished at 17:49 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    One man has been stabbed multiple times and another sustained head and chest injuries after they were attacked by a gang of youths in Luton.

    It happened just after midnight on Tuesday while the men were walking through Brantwood Park - between the Farley Hill and Bury Park areas.

    Police say the offenders were Asian youths and the motive for the attack is unclear.

    Both victims remain in a stable condition in hospital. Detectives say they were left with life-threatening injuries.

    brantwood park lutonImage source, Google

    Det Con James Bateman of Bedfordshire Police, said: "We think it may have been an attempted robbery. It appears to be an unprovoked attack on two men by a much larger group who were armed.

    "It took place on a warm night in a large open area that is often filled with groups socialising late into the night."

    The force is appealing for witnesses.

  5. Checkatrade draw sees local clubs play Premier League under-21 sidespublished at 16:18 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    So, the balls have been picked out the machine for the final slot in the Checkatrade Trophy group stages... and here's how it looks.

    Luton are due to face an invited Spurs side...

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    While Stevenage and the Dons have got Brighton...

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    It's not yet confirmed when the matches will be played.

  6. Husband 'beat up and killed' love rivalpublished at 14:42 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    The jury is told a jealous husband enlisted the help of three others to kill his wife's new man.

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  7. Killer jailed over £10 drug deal murderpublished at 13:59 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    Adam Watt was stabbed after running off without paying for drugs, the jury was told.

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  8. Rhythms of the World 2018?published at 13:31 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    Simon Oxley
    BBC Three Counties Radio

    The organisers of the Rhythms of the World Festival, external in Hitchin say they are hopeful it can be staged again after financial problems meant it was cancelled in 2016.

    It follows a meeting in the town where about 100 people turned up, with many pledging their support.

    Trustee John Brierley said the festival could be back next year "in some form".

    He explained: "Clearly we've got to get that balance of the volunteer base, the finances, sponsorship and local businesses.

    "That mix of skills, abilities and volunteer base has got to come together - but it's got to be right and it's got to be sustainable.

    "That's the duty of the trustees, to take care of the charity and make sure it's here for the long run."

  9. Adam Watt murder: Killers were 'wannabe gangsters'published at 13:03 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    Sarah Jenkins
    BBC Local Live

    The police officer leading the investigation into the murder of Adam Watt has described his killers as "wannabe gangsters".

    We've just heard from St Albans Crown Court where Joseph Zulu, 23, of no fixed address, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years for murder and conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

    His co-accused Nicholas Grant, 18, of Sunnyhill Road, Hemel Hempstead, was sentenced to 11 years in jail for manslaughter and conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

    The court heard Zulu and Grant went to the home of Mr Watt (pictured) after he ran off without paying for drugs. He owed them £10.

    The pair confronted him outside his flat in Evans Wharf, Apsley Lock, before Zulu delivered a fatal stab wound to the chest.

    Adam WattImage source, South Beds News Agency

    Det Insp Fraser Wylie, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, spoke outside the court after his killers were jailed.

    He said: "Adam Watt should never have died. He died over a £10 drugs debt by two wannabe gangsters who thought it was OK to take someone's life over that debt.

    "They have no thought for anyone else other than themselves. They both deserve to be where they are today."

    During the trial, the court heard from people who knew Grant. They said he was a "bright young man" who had gone down the wrong path.

    Det Insp Wylie added: "Mr Grant had a future. To find himself street dealing poor quality drugs in Hemel Hempstead, armed with a knife, willing to be part of taking someone's life, shows you how far he slid down the ladder.

    "You have to take responsibility for your actions. Zulu and Grant should be a warning for a number of people who are out there, willing to carry knives and take someone's life - you will be punished.

    "Adam Watt should never have died over a £10 drug debt. His life was worth much more than that."

  10. Men jailed for £10 drugs debt killingpublished at 12:03 British Summer Time 12 July 2017
    Breaking

    Sarah Jenkins
    BBC Local Live

    Two men have been jailed for the killing of Adam Watt in Hemel Hempstead over a £10 drugs debt.

    Joseph Zulu, 23, of no fixed address, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years for murder and conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

    Nicholas Grant, 18, of Sunnyhill Road, Hemel Hempstead, was sentenced to 11 years in jail for manslaughter and conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

    We'll bring you more on this shortly.

  11. East West rail link plans on displaypublished at 11:43 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    A public consultation is under way on the planned East West rail link between Oxford and Cambridge - via Aylesbury, Milton Keynes and Bedford.

    The plans will be on display in various venues in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire until 21 July.

    Today they will be on show in Winslow, where a new railway station is proposed.

    East West Rail Link plansImage source, Network Rail

    Charles Hurst, from Network Rail, says local views will be listened to.

    "It's an opportunity to see our plans for the project and we're asking people to give us their opinons," he said.

    "This affects them greatly, so we want to alter the design or make it as compatible as possible to their wishes."

    You can see a full list of consultation event dates and locations here, external.

  12. M1 crash: All lanes openpublished at 11:41 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    BBC News Travel

    All lanes are now open on the M1 northbound following a crash involving two lorries and three cars between junctions 13 and 14.

    There are still long delays.

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  13. M1 crash: Man released from vehicle by fire crewspublished at 11:27 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    BBC News Travel

    Firefighters have released an injured man after a crash on the M1 at Milton Keynes, which has caused long delays on the motorway this morning.

    More than 20 firefighters were called to the crash involving three cars and two lorries on the northbound carriageway, between junctions 13 and 14.

    Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service says four other men were uninjured.

    One lane remains closed while recovery continues. There are long delays.

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  14. Horner 'amazed' Silverstone pulled plug on British Grand Prix contractpublished at 10:15 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    Sarah Jenkins
    BBC Local Live

    The boss of the Milton Keynes Red Bull team Christian Horner said he was "amazed" Silverstone ended its British Grand Prix contract.

    The British Racing Drivers' Club, which owns the Northamptonshire circuit, says it cannot afford to host the race after 2019 unless a new deal is agreed with the new F1 owners.

    Christian HornerImage source, PA

    Back in 2010, Silverstone agreed a 17-year contract to host the grand prix, but it believes the hosting fee, which has increased by 5% annually, is not sustainable.

    Horner said the decision risked the race being moved to a London street track.

  15. Tesco-Booker deal to face in-depth competition probepublished at 10:06 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    BBC Business News

    The proposed purchase of Wellingborough-based wholesaler Booker by supermarket giant Tesco is to be subjected to an in-depth probe, UK competition authorities have said.

    The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says there are concerns over the proposed £3.7bn tie-up.

    Booker

    The CMA said there are 350 areas where there is an overlap between Tesco shops and Booker-supplied independent stores.

    It said the deal could be bad for shoppers in those areas because of reduced competition.

    The CMA said if the deal were to go through, potentially Booker could offer inferior wholesale terms to the stores it currently supplies "in order to drive customers to their local Tesco".

    Tesco logo; Booker logoImage source, Getty Images

    Last month, Hertfordshire-based Tesco and Booker asked the UK competition regulator to fast-track its investigation of their proposed £3.7bn deal, from a basic Phase 1 investigation to a more in-depth Phase 2 inquiry, which has now been confirmed.

  16. Travel: Two lanes closed on M1published at 09:38 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    BBC News Travel

    Meanwhile, we've just heard that two lanes are closed on the M1 southbound between J13 and J14 after a crash involving three vehicles.

    Emergency services are on the scene and there are long delays.

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  17. Travel: Long delays on M1published at 09:16 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    BBC News Travel

    There are long delays on the M1 after a broken down lorry had to be recovered at junction 10.

    All lanes are now open, however there are tailbacks to junction 12.

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  18. Pair to be sentenced for £10 drugs debt killingpublished at 08:18 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    Two men will be sentenced today for killing a man in Hemel Hempstead over a £10 drugs debt.

    Joseph Zulu, 23, of no fixed address, was found guilty of murder and Nicholas Grant, 18, of Sunnyhill Road, Hemel Hempstead, was found guilty of manslaughter.

    Joseph Zulu (left) and Nicholas GrantImage source, Hertfordshire Police
    Image caption,

    Joseph Zulu (left) and Nicholas Grant

    St Albans Crown Court heard Adam Watt had run off without paying what he owed for drugs.

    The pair were then driven to his home at Evans Wharf, where he was stabbed in the chest and died from his injuries.

    Police say the pair have shown no remorse and throughout the trial blamed each other for stabbing 38-year-old Adam Watt outside his home on Apsley Lock, in the early hours of a Sunday morning in January.

  19. Travel: Train delays between Cambridge and Bishop's Stortfordpublished at 08:14 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    BBC News Travel

    After an earlier overhead line problems in Essex there are currently delays of up to 15 minutes and some cancellations on Greater Anglia services between Bishop's Stortford and Cambridge.

    Tickets are being accepted on Great Northern and London Underground services.

    All lines have reopened and services are returning to normal, but some trains may still be delayed or cancelled.

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  20. Weather: Pleasant day aheadpublished at 08:12 British Summer Time 12 July 2017

    Lucy Martin
    BBC Weather

    It will be a cloudy and drizzly start, but this will soon thin during the morning as all parts become dry, with long sunny periods throughout the afternoon and evening.

    The wind will be mainly light and as a result it will feel much warmer than on Tuesday.

    Maximum Temperature: 20C (68F).

    BBC Weather has more.