Summary

  • Dylan Groenewegen wins first stage of Tour de Yorkshire

  • Major crash as pack of riders push for finish line in Scarborough

  • Sir Gary Verity given award by France for bringing Grand Depart to Yorkshire

  • Sheffield brothers jailed for child prostitution

  • Prime Minister on the campaign trail in Leeds

  • Police operation to tackle bike theft in York

  • Brownlee brothers cut ribbon at new Leeds triathlon centre

  • Delayed opening date set for Halifax Piece Hall

  • Updates on Friday 28 April 2017

  1. Hotel plan on hold as developer pulls outpublished at 16:21 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    Plans were approved for the building near Victoria Gate shopping centre, with market traders removed.

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  2. Olly Murs announces Yorkshire dates for tourpublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    Singer Olly Murs has announced he will play two dates in Yorkshire as part of a summer tour.

    Olly MursImage source, PA Media

    The judge on ITV's The Voice has announced a 2021 tour and said, "after speaking to people in the industry" he "firmly believes" it will go ahead.

    "If there are social distancing measures we can adapt the shows around that," he said.

    His 25-date tour is scheduled to come to Scarborough's Open Air Theatre on 10 July and Leeds' Harewood House on 11 July.

  3. Kestrel rescued from pig slurry pit near Sheffieldpublished at 15:29 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    A kestrel had to be rescued after falling into a slurry pit at a farm near Sheffield last week.

    The kestrelImage source, RSPCA

    Farm workers called for help after the stricken bird of prey was spotted at a pig farm off Lightwood Lane on Sunday.

    RSPCA animal welfare officer Liz Braidley said: "The poor kestrel was absolutely filthy after falling into the pig slurry pit.

    "When I arrived he was collapsed and was clearly exhausted from struggling in the sticky substance.

    "He couldn’t move and certainly wouldn’t have been able to fly out of the pit on his own so he was very lucky to have been spotted."

    After a bath and a visit to the vet, he was released a few days later, the animal charity said.

  4. George Street Leeds hotel and apartment plan scrappedpublished at 14:50 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    Charles Heslett
    BBC Radio Leeds

    Plans to build a multi-million pound hotel and apartment block in Leeds city centre have been scrapped.

    Artist's impressionImage source, Town Centre Securities/Leeds City Council

    Planning permission was granted for the project on George Street, opposite the Victoria Gate shopping centre, in 2018, with Leeds City Council partly funding the scheme.

    A block of traders at the adjoining Leeds Kirkgate Market had already been moved in preparation for construction.

    Leeds City Council said it had been informed about the decision.

    The scheme, led by Leeds-based developer Town Centre Securities, was for nine ground floor shops and 126 hotel rooms and apartments over six floors.

    The firm's latest accounts show it has written off £800,000 in development costs and decided not to proceed.

  5. 'Nothing can compensate for the pain' say victim's familypublished at 14:08 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    The family of a woman who was stabbed to death by her husband say no prison sentence can "compensate for the terrible pain we are suffering".

    Victoria WoodhallImage source, Family photo

    Victoria Woodhall, 31, was stabbed to death by 41-year-old ex-soldier Craig Woodhall on 29 March in Middlecliffe, Barnsley.

    Woodhall was jailed for life earlier today and told he must serve a minimum of 18-and-a-half years.

    In a statement released after the hearing at Sheffield Crown Court, Ms Woodhall's family said: "No sentence the judge could have handed down today can bring Vicky back to her family, nor compensate for the terrible pain we are suffering.

    “We would urge anyone who is suffering domestic violence, or who thinks someone they know may be, to tell someone about it.

    “We hope this message might save even one other family from having to endure the nightmare we have endured following Vicky’s murder.”

  6. Maximuscle millionaire dies in speed record bidpublished at 14:07 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    Zef Eisenberg is killed when his car "went out of control at high speed at the end of a run".

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  7. Ex-soldier jailed for 'savage' murder of wifepublished at 14:02 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    Craig Woodhall's attack on his estranged wife was described as "merciless, determined, sustained".

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  8. Twenty-one men arrested over sex abuse claimspublished at 13:14 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    The men were held during a three-week operation into offences in Bradford between 2001 and 2009.

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  9. Ex soldier jailed for life for 'savage' murder of wifepublished at 12:51 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    A former soldier who stabbed his estranged wife to death with a machete in the street outside his home has been jailed for at least 18 years and six months.

    Victoria WoodhallImage source, Family photo

    Craig Woodhall, 41, repeatedly stabbed NHS worker Victoria Woodhall, 31, in Windsor Crescent, Middlecliffe, Barnsley, on 29 March in a "merciless and sustained" attack witnessed by a number of people, including at least two children.

    Woodhall was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years and six months.

    Passing sentence Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said: "You relentless stabbed your wife, Victoria Woodhall, to death with a high level of violence in a public street in full view of several people.

    "You used a large Gurkha knife, called a kukri, to mercilessly inflict the brutal injuries to the upper body, head and neck and I've no doubt you intended to kill her."

    "Your conduct may only be characterised as merciless, determined, sustained and savage in the extreme."

    Craig WoodhallImage source, South Yorkshire Police

    Woodhall, formerly of Windsor Crescent, pleaded guilty to murder last month. He had previously admitted an offence of possession of an offensive weapon.

  10. Leeds' move for Bayern's Cuisance offpublished at 12:14 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Cuisance's proposed transfer to Premier League Leeds United falls through.

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  11. Asda bought by billionaire Issa brothers in £6.8bn dealpublished at 12:12 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    Two billionaire brothers from Blackburn have won the battle to buy Leeds-based supermarket Asda from Walmart, in a deal valuing the supermarket chain at £6.8bn.

    An Asda signImage source, Getty Images

    A consortium of Zuber and Mohsin Issa and private equity firm TDR Capital will take a majority stake in Asda.

    It means the grocer will return to majority UK ownership for the first time in two decades.

    The Issa brothers own EG Group, which has more than 5,200 petrol stations across the UK and Europe.

    A spokesperson for the Issa brothers and TDR Capital declined to comment on how they are funding the deal.

    The auction process for Asda has lasted for several months. US-based Walmart decided to sell a controlling stake in Asda after shelving plans to float the business following a failed £7.3bn merger with Sainsbury's, which was blocked on competition grounds.

    Walmart bought Asda in 1999 for £6.7bn and it will retain a minority stake in the supermarket chain.

    Announcing the deal, Walmart said Asda would keep its headquarters in Leeds and its chief executive, Roger Burnley, would remain in place.

  12. Rotherham sign Barlaser from Newcastlepublished at 11:54 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    Rotherham United sign Newcastle United midfielder Dan Barlaser for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal.

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  13. 21 arrested in Bradford child sex abuse investigationpublished at 11:28 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    Twenty-one men have been arrested as part of an investigation into child sex abuse in Bradford.

    Police officersImage source, Getty Images

    The men, from Bradford, Shipley and Keighley, were arrested in relation to 'non-recent' incidents.

    All 21, aged between 33 and 41, are being investigated in relation to offences said to have happened between 2001 and 2009.

    They involve one female victim.

    Det Supt Sarah Jones, of Bradford District Police, said: “Tackling child abuse is not something that any one agency can do in isolation though which is why we work closely with local authorities and other organisations and charities to support victims, bring offenders to justice and make our communities safer.

    “We would urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, whether recent or historic, to report it to the police. Please be assured that you will be listened to, taken seriously and supported by professionals with experience of dealing with these kind of offences.”

  14. Speed record bid: Maximuscle founder Zef Eisenberg diespublished at 11:00 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    A millionaire fitness firm founder was killed attempting a British land speed record near York.

    Zef EisenbergImage source, Zef Eisenberg

    Zef Eisenberg, who launched Maximuscle, died at Elvington Airfield, near York, where in 2006 ex-Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond crashed.

    Emergency crews were called after reports of a "serious collision" at about 16:30 BST on Thursday.

    Guernsey-based Mr Eisenberg, 47, was involved in a "near-death" 230mph crash at the same airfield in 2016.

    His ex-wife has confirmed to the BBC that he died in the crash on Thursday.

    Mr Eisenberg ran the Madmax Race Team, which attempts speed records with motorbikes and cars.

  15. Sheffield Forgemasters plans to cut 95 jobs amid pandemicpublished at 10:47 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    Steel company Sheffield Forgemasters says it plans to axe 95 jobs as the Covid-19 pandemic hits global markets.

    Sheffield ForgemastersImage source, PA Media

    The 200-year-old company said cuts to the 708-strong workforce were an "unavoidable necessity" but it remained optimistic about its long-term future.

    The job reductions were the result of reduced demand in the current economic climate, bosses said.

    The firm said it hoped the losses could be reduced through voluntary redundancy or internal redeployment.

  16. Land speed record attempt: Driver dies at Elvingtonpublished at 10:21 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    A driver has died during a British land speed record attempt.

    Elvington AirfieldImage source, Google

    The fatal accident occurred at Elvington Airfield, a former RAF base near York, governing body Motorsport UK said.

    It said the driver's family had been informed and an investigation into the circumstances had begun.

    North Yorkshire Police said it was called to reports of a "serious collision" at the scene shortly after 16:30 BST.

    Elvington was an RAF station until 1992, and has become a popular motorsports venue since entering private ownership.

    It has hosted dozens of world record attempts, and is also used as a filming location.

  17. Steel company to cut jobs due to pandemicpublished at 10:18 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    Sheffield Forgemasters says a reduced demand means 95 redundancies are an "unavoidable necessity.

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  18. Couple tied up and beaten by masked robberspublished at 09:54 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    A couple in their 70s were tied up and beaten by robbers who forced their way into their home before stealing a safe containing jewellery and cash.

    Police jacketImage source, PA Media

    Three men armed with a crowbar entered the house in Clara Drive, Pudsey, at about 22:00 on Wednesday wearing dark clothing, gloves and face coverings.

    West Yorkshire Police say the raiders then tied the couple up before threatening them and hitting one of them.

    The intruders left the scene with a green, cast iron safe described as being approximately 2ft square and weighing about 80kg.

    Det Insp Vicky Vessey said: “This was a particularly nasty burglary in which two people aged in their 70s have been the victim of a terrifying ordeal.

    “Although thankfully no-one was seriously injured it was obviously a distressing incident for them both."

    Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact police.

  19. Leeds lockdown students to get donated food suppliespublished at 09:48 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    PA Media

    The Co-op is to donate £10,000 worth of supplies to students in lockdown because of the virus crisis.

    A Co-op storeImage source, Andrew Milligan/PA Media

    The retail giant said it wanted to help the thousands of students having to self-isolate on campuses in areas including Leeds.

    Local student unions will be able to pick up basics including rice, pasta, toilet roll, bread and noodles from their local Co-op and distribute them to those students most in need.

    Chris Whitfield, chief operating officer of Co-op Food, said: "It's important we pull together to support our student communities during these difficult times and we want to help ease the current situation by ensuring that students under lockdown are kept well stocked up with groceries and essentials."

    National Union of Students president Larissa Kennedy said: "Access to food is a basic need and we all know the impact that worries about this place upon a person's mental health and wellbeing.

    "The quicker we can make sure students have access to food and basic amenities, the quicker we can all focus our efforts on supporting them with some of the other challenges of this pandemic - access to online learning, mental health services and financial support being just a few."

  20. Barnsley Hospice to close all charity shopspublished at 09:39 British Summer Time 2 October 2020

    Barnsley Hospice is to close all of its charity shops because of the coronavirus pandemic, it has confirmed.

    Barnsley Hospice shopImage source, Google

    It said it was forced to close all of its shops at the start of the pandemic, with some re-opening in July.

    However, sales have been "about half" of what they were before the pandemic and it says it's closing the stores as they're "simply not viable".

    It wrote on social media: "Like many other charities, our shops have been hit hard by the Covid-19 restrictions.

    "This has been an extremely difficult decision and we value the hard work of all our employees and volunteers.

    "However, continuing to operate our shops at a loss is simply not viable for a charity and we must safeguard the provision of patient care."

    It said it will still have a retail offer at their warehouse at Fall Bank Industrial Estate in Dodworth.

    All stores are to close at the end of the month, it added.