Two men have gone on trial in Carlisle accused of murdering a man in a row over a £135 woolly beanie hat.

Blair Dixon and Alfonso Bitton each deny murdering 37-year-old John Cingelis (pictured), who was stabbed in the chest, and also deny intentionally wounding his pal Barry Cartwright, who was stabbed in his upper arm.

Image source, Family photo

Carlisle Crown Court heard Mr Dixon and Mr Bitton, both 25 and at the time staying at Eldon Drive, Harraby, are said to have visited the nearby Brantwood Avenue home of Mr Cingelis and his housemate Mr Cartwright, chatting over drinks with them and two women before leaving on good terms.

But a few hours later they returned to claim the black Canada Goose beanie belonging to Mr Dixon and an altercation took place that ended with Mr Cingelis fatally wounded and Mr Cartwright injured.

Mr Dixon does admit possessing a knife, but the prosecution case is that Mr Bitton was equally responsible for what happened.

The court heard the hat was later found at another house where Mr Dixon had left it. The trial continues.

BBC Cumbria Sport

Bluebirds manager David Dunn is thinking of making a few changes for tonight's final EFL Trophy group stage tie at home to Accrington.

Barrow will progress to the next round with a win.

BBC Weather

The afternoon will be dry for most but there will be a lot of cloud and mist at first with just an isolated shower.

There will be a moderate southerly wind and it will stay mild with highest temperatures from 10C to 13C (50F to 55F).

You can find the latest, hour-by-hour, BBC weather forecast for where you are by searching for your location here.

Bob Cooper
Political reporter, BBC Cumbria

There's been another rise in the number of people from Cumbria dying with coronavirus, with 20 reported in the week to 30 October being the highest since the middle of May.

The latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics, external, which bases its figures on death certificates that mention Covid-19, mean that 620 people from the county have now died with the virus.

Covid: Questions answered on the Pfizer vaccine.

The Barrow and Furness MP has joined backbenchers in Parliament who are pressing the government to come up with a plan to allow fans back into football grounds once the current lockdown ends.

A Government pilot scheme allowing for the partial return of fans to stadiums was paused in September after a rise in coronavirus cases.

Now a petition urging a rethink has been signed by 200,000 people and MPs say the empty terraces are threatening the future of clubs.

The Conservative MP Simon Fell told the Commons that Barrow AFC was a vital part of the town, and were relying on income such as spectators buying season tickets for matches they cannot attend.

People who own business premises in Cumbria are being reminded to protect them during the coronavirus lockdown.

The fire service is advising people to make sure any electrical equipment is unplugged, unless it powers fire alarms or sprinklers, to turn water off at the mains, make sure fire doors are closed, and to inspect the property on a weekly basis.

Image source, CFRS

BBC Cumbria Sport

In case you missed the draw last night: Carlisle United will be at home to League One Doncaster Rovers in the Second Round of the FA Cup.

And a home tie against Crawley Town awaits the winners of Barrow's first round tie with AFC Wimbledon, which was postponed at the weekend because of a coronavirus outbreak at the London club.

• Temperature at 3,000ft (900m): Around 5C to 6C (41F to 43F)
• Winds: Moderate to fresh southerly breezes with gusts between 20mph and 25mph
• Cloud: Hill fog at first with bases at 1,000ft to 1,300ft (300m to 400m) in the morning, rising 1,600ft to 2,300ft (500m to 700m) in the afternoon
• Weather: A mostly cloudy day with a few bright spells in the afternoon but also the odd shower.
• Visibility: Poor in the morning, staying poor above 1,600ft (500m) in the afternoon, but moderate to good below.

Image source, Chris Armstrong

Chris Armstrong made an early start up Helvellyn this morning and beat the fog to the summit, finding this dramatic cloudscape awaiting him.

Our thanks to Chris for emailing it to us, and if you take a photo you think the rest of the county might like to see, you can also tweet it onto our account, external.

The officials leading Cumbria's response to the coronavirus pandemic say they are planning to distribute vaccines if they become available, but they are also stressing that precautions such as social distancing and hand-washing must carry on at present.

Andy Slattery, the assistant chief constable who chairs the group, says that planning is already in hand to deliver supplies, which will be administered to the most vulnerable groups, and key workers such as health clinicians, first.

The latest unemployment figures for Cumbria show a fall across all parts of the county, although officials are quick to point out they relate to a date before the new lockdown was announced.

The statistics, for 8 October, show 12,725 people claiming benefits and seeking work, down 570 on September and giving a rate of 4.3%, compared to the national rate of 6.3%.

Image source, Getty Images

The equivalent figure for early March was 5,795 people signing on, showing the impact of the pandemic, so unemployment has roughly doubled.

And while job vacancy rates are back to those prior to the pandemic, county council analysts note the balance of sectors recruiting is different with fewer arts, entertainment and recreation postings, and more health related ones.

People in Cumbria are being urged to keep their hospital appointments, despite the NHS having to deal with a second wave of Covid-19 infections.

The number of patients in South Cumbria's hospitals with coronavirus, is now back at the same level as it was during the peak in the spring. But the NHS says this time, rather than postponing certain procedures, it wants to continue to offer care for people with other health problems.

Cumbria's director of public health, Colin Cox, told BBC Radio Cumbria this morning that this time, the treatments available to Covid patients mean there's a bit less strain on the services.

BBC Weather

Today looks dry for most but there will be a lot of cloud and mist at first.

The odd isolated shower is likely with a moderate southerly wind.

Staying mild, with temperatures reaching 13C (55F).

This afternoon is likely to be murky too, with some clear spells developing by evening.

And you can check the latest BBC Weather forecast, where you live, by searching for your location here.

The organiser is fined £10,000 and 29 other people have to pay £200 after the Manchester protest.

BBC Weather

It will be cloudy and misty at times tonight with just a few clear breaks.

Most areas will stay dry but there will be a chance of one or two showers spreading from the south, with lowest temperatures from 7C to 10C (45F to 50F).

You can always find the latest, detailed, BBC weather forecast for where you are by typing in your location or postcode here.

Steve Healey, Cumbria's chief fire officer, who has worked for the county for 24 years, is to take up a new post with the Lancashire service.

Image source, Cumbria County Council

A group of Cumbrians who went to Manchester to protest against the lockdown have been issued with fixed penalties and their transport firm and driver reported to traffic commissioners.

Hundreds of people took part in the protest in Piccadilly Gardens yesterday, and Greater Manchester police say a number of officers were injured.

Greater Manchester Police said £200 fines were given to 24 people, and 20 of these were handed to the Cumbrian group, although none were arrested.

Assistant Chief Constable Mabs Hussain said: "These restrictions are to control the spread of Covid-19 and protect everyone - including you and your loved ones as well as the NHS."

BBC Weather

It will be largely cloudy, although a few bright spells may develop with some afternoon showers.

Temperatures will be mild for November, from 11C to 14C (52F to 57F), with gentle south-easterly winds.

You can always find the latest BBC weather forecast for where you are, by searching for your location here.

The latest figures show the Covid-19 infection rate in Barrow has now dropped below the point where county public health officials originally urged that it should go - what became known as into tier two, high risk precautions.

The the statistics to last Thursday, analysed by the BBC, show Carlisle with 285 new cases, putting it on 262.2 per 100,000 population, which is above the national average.

Copeland, now on 231.7 per 100,000, and Eden, on 200.9, are both up on the previous week, while Barrow, now on 164.1, Allerdale on 159.6 and South Lakeland on 150.4, all saw decreases.

Covid-19: First vaccine offers 90% protection.

BBC Cumbria Sport

Carlisle United will be ball number 24 when the draw for the 2nd round of the FA Cup takes place at ten-past-seven tonight.

Chris Beech's side made it through on penalties yesterday, after an almighty scare at Hayes & Yeading, who had led 2-0 deep in extra-time.

Meanwhile, Barrow still need to get through their tie with Wimbledon after the visitors had to postpone it because of a Covid-19 outbreak.

David Dunn's side will be ball number 30 in tonight's draw.

Indoor visits are being stopped at some Cumbrian care homes because of the new lockdown.

The Government says visits should happen through windows, or outdoors, if they can't be done safely inside.

Vikkie Cullen lives near Rockliffe in the north of the county, and her mother Wendy is in a care home in Carlisle with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Image source, Getty Images

There are calls for family members to be given regular Covid-19 tests, like care home staff, but Kamal Siddiqi who runs The Old Vicarage Care Home in Allithwaite, near Grange-over-Sands, says that is not as simple as it sounds.

He is having a wooden shelter built in the grounds, but the lockdown means most visiting has stopped.