Patrick Byrne
BBC News

After being rejected by a woman with whom he had a long-standing affair, Rory McGrath attempted to make contact again by asking her for "lost pictures", a court has heard. 

The 60-year-old, from Grantchester Street in Cambridge, contacted the writer and broadcaster in June 2015 to ask for photographs of the two of them together which he claimed he had lost.

Image source, Terry Harris/paperpix.uk

"He said he felt suicidal at the thought of having no photographs of the two of them," Anthony Abell, prosecuting, told Huntingdon Magistrates' Court. "He said he was crying at having lost them." 

The woman declined and McGrath later asked to meet her, and she agreed to do so at a Cambridge pub. 

"He said he was desperate to meet her, which is why she agreed," Mr Abell said. 

"While they were together he was crying and holding her hand. He said it was one of the most painful things in his life."

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Rory McGrath, who has admitted harassing a writer and broadcaster he had had a long-standing affair with, found it difficult to accept she wanted to end their relationship, a court has heard.

"There was a time when she was seeking to disengage from the long-standing affair," Anthony Abell, prosecuting, told Huntingdon Magistrates' Court.

"She was very conscious of the fact that he did have several photographs of them together, including some intimate photographs as well that had been taken consensually that he had stored electronically. 

"She made it clear to him that she wanted it to end towards the end of May 2015."

The woman asked McGrath, 60, of Grantchester Street in Cambridge, to delete from his phone and any other devices anything that related to her to protect her and her family.

"The defendant seems to have found it very, very difficult to deal with," Mr Abell said.

Mr McGrath then pursued a course of conduct described as "unstable and tempestuous", he added.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Comedian Rory McGrath had previously had an affair with the woman he admitted harassing.

McGrath met her in the 1990s and then more recently through work.

Anthony Abell, prosecuting, told Huntingdon Magistrates' Court: "They got on well and began to exchange messages and their friendship developed into a physical relationship from November 2010 to May 2015.

"It was in May 2015 that the last act of intimacy took place between the two of them. 

"Both the defendant and the complainant were married to other people and their relationship had managed to be kept secret from their respective spouses. 

"By August 2014 the complainant had become very unhappy with the relationship. She began to find Mr McGrath difficult and unpleasant company."

She then attempted to make a clean break from him.

Image source, Terry Harris/paperpix.co.uk

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Comedian Rory McGrath, who has admitted harassing a married woman for 14 months, has been in trouble before, it has emerged. 

Image source, BBC/Luke Hallam

McGrath, of Grantchester Street in Cambridge, was cautioned by police over a drunken assault against a couple in 2013. 

The 60-year-old was said to have attacked the man and a woman, who were trying to help him while he was "heavily in drink", police said at the time of the incident. 

The man suffered a bloody nose and a scratched face. McGrath was subsequently arrested over the assaults, which took place at a house in Pool, near Redruth in Cornwall, where the television star grew up.

He had previously denied the stalking charge but earlier today changed his plea to guilty on the first day of a trial at Huntingdon Magistrates' Court.

Rory McGrath has admitted harassing a married woman for more than a year.

The comedian, 60, of Grantchester Street, Cambridge, pleaded guilty at Huntingdon Magistrates' Court, in Cambridgeshire.

Image source, Terry Harris/Paperpix.co.uk

He had been charged with following the woman, sending electronic messages and approaching her in the street.

In November McGrath denied a charge of stalking without causing fear, alarm or distress, but he changed his plea on the first day of his trial.

The offences happened in Cambridge over a 14-month period between June 2015 and August last year.

Prosecutors said McGrath sent letters to the woman's husband.

Television personality Rory McGrath has admitted harassing a woman for more than a year.

McGrath, 60, of Grantchester Street, Cambridge, pleaded guilty at Huntingdon Magistrates' Court.

More to follow.

Helen Burchell
BBC News

A review is to be carried out on the speed limit on a lane where a woman leading two horses was nearly hit by a van.

The near-miss happened at about 16:30 on Tuesday, on Red Fen Road, in Little Thetford.

Image source, Cambridgeshire Police

Local people have expressed their concerns about the 60mph speed limit on the road, which is used by dog walkers, pedestrians and farm traffic.

Police admit that the current limit appears "to be inappropriate even in the best of weather". 

Sgt Phil Priestley said: "I will be meeting with the representatives of the parish and district council next Monday so that we can collectively make progress on a number of key proposals that will make this area safer for everyone - drivers, pedestrians and residents alike. 

"In the meanwhile, I would ask local motorists to please pay extra attention and take an additional amount of care while driving in the area. 

"The recommended speed for approaching horses is less than 15mph."

Emergency services are at the scene of a serious collision that's closed the A142 north of Newmarket.

Police were called by the ambulance service at 06:45 to reports of a crash between a lorry and a bicycle.

The A142 is closed between Windmill Hill and the junction with Snailwell Road and Landwade Road, known locally as "Turner's roundabout".

Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.

A woman leading two horses out of a field at Little Thetford, near Ely, was nearly hit by a van.

Cambridgeshire Police issued video of the incident from Tuesday, with the advice that drivers should keep their speed to a maximum of 15mph when approaching horses.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

A city council which signed a contract with a waste and recycling handling company until 2034 wants to end the arrangement to save money. 

Peterborough City Council wants to back out of the contract with Amey 17 years early, saying it would save about £100,000 a year.

Image source, Science Photo Library

Councillors are being asked to approve a proposal to end the partnership by "mutual consent".

The Big Conversation with Paul Stainton is featuring the story after 09:00 on BBC Cambridgeshire.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Rory McGrath is due to go on trial in Huntingdon today, accused of stalking a married woman for 14 months. 

The comedian, of Grantchester Street, Cambridge, denied the single charge of stalking at an earlier hearing at Huntingdon Magistrates' Court.

Mr McGrath, who has appeared in programmes such as They Think It's All Over and Three Men In A Boat, is accused of sending her electronic messages, approaching the woman in the street and following her.

It is also alleged the 60-year-old sent letters to the woman's husband, and that the offending happened between June 2015 and August 2016.

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

Today is due to feel like it's the coldest day of the year so far. We seem to have lost the fogginess but there'll be plenty of low grey cloud and a chilly, brisk south-easterly wind which will make it feel colder.

Maximum temperature: 1C (33F).   

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Good morning and welcome back to live updates on news, sport, weather and travel for Cambridgeshire on Thursday, 26 January. 

It's a very cold morning out there, with a Met Office warning of ice in places so take care when you're travelling about the county. A full weather forecast for the day will be on its way shortly. 

Here are some of the stories we'll be looking at today: 

• Comedian Rory McGrath is due to stand trial at Huntingdon accused of stalking a married woman for 14 months. 
• Peterborough City Council is looking to end a waste and recycling contract 17 years early to save money.
• More of Cambridge's streets currently one way to cars are to be made two-way for cyclists. 

You can get in touch with the team here by email, Twitter, external or Facebook, external. 

More than 25 skeletons have been unearthed by archaeologists investigating the site of a medieval friary in the centre of Cambridge.

Friends and campaigners of a Cambridge student mark the anniversary of his disappearance with events across Europe.

The East of England Ambulance Service is running out of money after a busy Christmas period.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

Live updates have now finished for the day. We'll return from 08:00 tomorrow.

Scroll back through today's feed for anything you may have missed, including events being held to mark one year since the disappearance of Cambridge University student Giulio Regeni, plus more on the appointment of David Cameron to president of the Cambridge-based charity Alzheimer's Research UK.

Stay tuned to this page overnight for any breaking news from around the county.

Have a great evening.

BBC Weather Watchers

Despite the grey and miserable weather outside, we continue the successful "picture of the day" for a third day.

Today's award goes to "Keith Butch", who made the fog and ice look very impressive in Whittlesey earlier...

Congrats Keith.

BBC Weather

Staying cloudy and misty with some spots of drizzle or a few snow flakes, which could lead to icy patches on untreated surfaces.

Temperatures could get as low as -2C (28F) in frost-prone spots.

A cold start to the day tomorrow, although rather cloudy at first with some light snow flurries or spots of drizzle possible. Highs of 1-3C (34F-37F).

BBC Weather has more details. 

Man accused of killing author Helen Bailey considered jumping off a cliff, court hears.