A shoplifter has been banned from two Tesco stores. Carl Walker can no longer enter Crewe Tesco branches on Tommy’s Lane and Vernon Way.
The defendant is also banned from Morrisons, on Dunwoody Way, in Crewe, and from Hobbycraft, on Grand Junction Retail Park. It follows the granting of a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order.
Inspector Dan Welch, from Cheshire Police, said: “A Criminal Behaviour Order is just one of the tools that we can use to further protect communities from shoplifters like Walker, giving us additional powers if he breaches his conditions. That’s why anyone who encounters Walker breaching any of the restrictions is urged to contact Cheshire Police through our website or by ringing 101. We take shoplifting and crimes against retailers and businesses incredibly seriously and will continue to tackle these issues head-on.”
Get even more North Staffordshire exclusives – and it is free
Shuttleworth House is celebrating its 150th anniversary
Shuttleworth is putting on a free event to celebrate a 150 years of Shuttleworth House(Image: Shuttleworth)
A museum that is easy to reach from Cambridgeshire where you can see many historic aircraft is set to host a free event to celebrate its 150th anniversary. Shuttleworth, which can be found just outside of Biggleswade in Bedfordshire, is home to “some of the world’s oldest airworthy examples of historic aircraft” and holds air shows throughout the summer.
The museum is also home to the Regency Swiss Garden and Jacobean-style mansion making it a popular attraction for families to visit. On Sunday, May 17, the museum will be holding a free event to celebrate 150 years of Shuttleworth House.
The historic mansion was designed by the Victorian architect Henry Clutton with the first stone of the house being set by Caroline Shuttleworth on May 17, 1876. The house is now regarded as “an iconic example of Jacobean revival architecture in Bedfordshire”.
The free event will allow visitors to explore the house and learn more about its history through the special exhibition called “Shuttleworth House Through the Ages”. The exhibition explores the construction of the house as well as the lifestyle of the Shuttleworth family through the Victorian and Edwardian periods.
You can find out more about the house’s role as a convalescent home during both world wars before its focus shifted to heritage preservation and becoming an award-winning events venue that people know today. If you want a more in-depth tour of the house, you can pay £15 for a guided tour that will give you more information about the décor and personal stories of those who have lived there.
There are plenty of family-friendly activities for children to get involved in including picking up colouring sheets or working on picture puzzles. There is also a tile trail to follow or you might like the “Find the Ducks” challenge that will encourage children to explore the house while learning about its history.
There are a few hands-on experiences like flag signalling lessons that have been inspired by the Shuttleworth family’s yachting days. Children could also try traditional napkin folding and learn about the standards of service maintained at the house.
Rhys Horan, Operations Manager, commented: “As we commemorate 150 years of Shuttleworth House, we’re not only honouring its past but also celebrating everyone who has shaped its story, especially the staff and volunteers who bring it to life today. This milestone gives us a wonderful chance to look back with pride and look ahead with excitement for what’s to come.”
While you are at the museum, you might also like to check out the collection of vintage vehicles and aircraft. The collection includes a few replica aircraft as well as airworthy planes that regularly feature in the air shows and old fashioned cars.
You can also make a stop at the Runway Cafe if you need any food and drinks. The café offers plenty of coffees and teas as well as soft drinks that can be enjoyed alongside either a breakfast or one of the lunch options such as jacket potatoes and burgers.
Normal admission fees for the museum cost £19.50 for adults with children under 18 going for free. Shuttleworth is a 44-minute drive away from Cambridge via the A603 and the museum has a car park onsite.
Spin and counter claims reveal underlying divide between council leaders and officers and commissioners over bin strike ‘deal’
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has today stood by comments strongly criticising Birmingham City Council over its handling of the bin strike – including a claim that its most senior officials and commmissioners had ‘not tried hard enough’ to end it.
In an unusually strident series of claims he put the blame on ‘very important people’ at the council for failing to get a deal done with bins union Unite.
Only when he intervened along with other Labour figures did an agreement of sorts get over the line, he claimed.
The council is led by managing director Joanne Roney and an executive team, but run by a Labour majority administration and with oversight from government-appointed commissioners.
Parker claimed officials had not met with Unite ‘for eight or nine months’ and that forced politicians to intervene.
READ MORE: Smiles, whispers and a buried warning – what bin strike ‘deal’ really means for Birmingham
He made the claims in an interview with ITV Central that was aired on Thursday. He was later unable to make time to further discuss the claims with BirminghamLive or answer our questions.
Nobody at the council has been willing to discuss the claims.
Mayor Richard Parker’s comments included:
The process (to resolve the strike) had been undermined by ‘frustration, obfuscation and delay’ and marred by ‘a lack of scrutiny and transparency’.
The council, led by executive officers and with oversight from government-appointed commissioners, had not met with Unite officials ‘for eight or nine months’, nor sought to.
Criticising officers and government-appointed commissioners, Parker said: “I don’t think some very important people at the council have put enough work and effort into it. Almost eight or nine months passed without anyone engaging or re-engaging with Unite.
“You’ll have to ask officers and commissioners why they didn’t put that work and that effort in… why they didn’t take what was needed as seriously and why they were not as committed to it as they should have been.”
He also told ITV Central that he ‘remained concerned’ that decisions were not being carried out with ‘rigour’ and that ‘too much responsibility for resolving the dispute lay with officers and commissioners’.
They were “under little or no scrutiny, didn’t operate in a transparent way and frankly suffer no jeopardy, and that’s the main underlying reason why this dispute has remained unresolved for so long.”
We have since asked him to clarify who he was blaming for the failings, and whether he had directly raised his concerns with the council’s executives, who he meets regularly. We are told he had raised concerns ‘with commissioners’ and would not be ‘naming names’ or ‘sharing private discussions’.
The PR spin battle
From the moment on Monday when the city council’s Labour leader John Cotton strode out into Victoria Square to tell local media that the end of the bin strike was ‘in sight’ thanks to an agreement reached between him and Unite following ‘months’ of negotiations, the questions started and the PR spin battle began.
Political opponents called it an election stunt, with polling day just a week away.
But Labour say the deal they have struck is a positive step to finally ending the debilitating strike, with little potential impact on the council’s finances.
Cock a hoop union officials and workers were proclaiming it as a deal nearly done as long as Labour are still running the council on May 8.
Several Labour insiders were eager to talk up the agreement and its importance, but said it should have been done ‘months ago’.
They made the case that officers and the commissioners at the council were to blame for stringing things out and letting down residents. Some suggested that the ‘truth would out’ within months and officials would be held to account.
One went so far as to suggest council officers or commissioners were positively obstructing a deal and that some in the council corridors of power favoured a hardline approach – including sacking belligerent strikers.
None were prepared to put their name to the claims and a council spokesperson has denied that any officials have pushed for or suggested dismissal.
On the council side, there has been frustration over the dramatic announcement of a ‘deal in sight’ by Labour, when in reality there is no ‘deal’, but instead an agreement around ‘ballpark’ arrangements.
By Wednesday, a figure of £200 million was being bandied about as the likely cost to the council of the Labour/Unite deal, almost certainly leaked from inside the council.
We have seen nothing to substantiate that. Our calculations suggest the one off cost of compensating affected workers could cost around £5 million, but the bigger bill might come from sex discrimination claims that will follow from other workers. However, given that only bin workers are affected by the downgradings and pay cuts, those are also expected to be limited.
What this means for Brummies and the council’s reputation
Despite the hyperbole, there has been no deal done yet to end the strike, and nor will there be until a new administration is in place, post May 7. They will have to meet and appoint a new leader on May 19 and then pour over the details of the agreement and potentially restart negotiations of their own.
Any deal would also have to go through due diligence, legal advisors, the commissioners and external auditors who are charged with ensuring the council delivers ‘value for money’. It would then have to be approved by a majority of councillors – and simultaneously get backed by Unite’s membership.
But assuming it is a good deal that councillors can get behind, the strike could soon be over.
What is clear, however, is that the past week has exposed a faultline of dysfunction and toxicity and reignited calls for the commissioners to be ousted from the council.
The story spun by those involved in the Labour agreement with Unite, and put on record by the mayor, is one that cuts to claims of division and mistrust at the highest level, one in which officers are obstructive and ‘not working hard enough’ to solve one of the city’s biggest reputational and public health crises.
It is also one where senior Labour politicians have apparently had to support officers publicly over the handling of the strike negotiations while lobbying against them privately.
BirminghamLive has sought to discuss the issue with commissioners, the Labour leader John Cotton, senior officers and the mayor but all have declined our requests or been too busy to talk to us.
Instead they have issued statements, as follows:
Birmingham City Council press office: “All lawful options to end this dispute have been considered. Officers have never recommended dismissal (of the workforce).
“Extensive efforts continue to be made to try to find a financially reasonable and lawful negotiated end to this dispute.”
Councillor John Cotton, about Richard Parker’s comments, said: “I would like to thank the Mayor for the constructive role that he has played in this breakthrough following months of frustration which means the end of the dispute is within sight.
“I remain committed to continue working with officers, who have been doing complex work to navigate a challenging situation, to deliver this deal after the election through the formal processes.”
Lead Commissioner Tony McArdle said: “Commissioners have long been concerned at the lack of contact between the Council and Unite. We have pushed the council to have a plan for resolving this dispute that would make negotiations with Unite viable.
“That pressure helped get the two parties to discussions at a political level. We will continue to assist the council in seeking a negotiated settlement to this dispute… We share the frustration that this has gone on for too long.”
As the nomination period opens for the fall municipal election, one Cambridge councillor has filed his paperwork to run for mayor.
Ward 7 Councillor Scott Hamilton filed his nomination papers Friday morning.
His mayoral campaign slogan is “A Cambridge that works for you.”
Hamilton works as the Senior Director of United Way Waterloo Region
“I understand the pressures our residents are feeling every day,” said Hamilton. “My family and I feel them too. Rising costs, growth that needs to be managed well, and the need for a City Hall that truly works for its residents. I believe Cambridge needs practical, steady leadership focused on meeting these challenges head-on. This is a city built on hard-working people who deserve a more affordable, more connected, more prosperous home.”
Jan Liggett is the current Cambridge Mayor.
She was voted into the position in the last municipal election in 2022, defeating the then-incumbent Kathryn McGarry.
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has welcomed its first patient to a brand new breast care unit.
Based at County Hospital, Stafford, the unit has four consultation rooms, an enhanced treatment room, three counselling rooms, two mammography rooms, two ultrasound rooms and state-of-the-art imaging technology.
It will be offering one-stop clinics, diagnostic imaging, outpatient care and support services in one dedicated space with the hope of providing a more joined-up and streamlined service for patients.
The previous unit, also at County Hospital, was no longer able to meet the demands of modern breast care.
The purpose built unit has been designed with the help of clinical teams to improve patient flow and privacy.
Those receiving treatment will not have to move to different areas of the hospital as frequently.
Helen Bishop, 59, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, was the first patient to be seen at the new unit.
The teaching assistant said: “The care that you get from the breast care team at UHNM is just phenomenal.
advertisement
“Right from the beginning, it’s the atmosphere that stands out, all the staff are so friendly and reassuring, and you can tell they work really well together.
“It was an honour to be the first patient at the new Breast Unit.
“The care I had in the old unit was fantastic, but this is even better for patients in the future.
“It feels really calm, which makes such a difference when you’re feeling nervous.
“Today was a big day for me because I was waiting for results, but even though it’s the first day here, everything felt relaxed and I was quickly put at ease.
“I can’t fault the care I’ve had at all.”
Mr Sekhar Marla, consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon, said: “This is an exciting day for the whole team.
“Our previous unit has served us well for many years, but this new facility allows us to deliver care in a way that better reflects how breast services work today.
advertisement
“We now have more space, improved facilities and a layout that supports better patient flow, privacy and overall experience.
“A lot of work has gone into the design, with staff closely involved throughout, and that’s made a real difference to how the unit works in practice.
“It also helps us to future-proof the service as the number of patients we see continues to grow, and it’s something colleagues across the region are already really interested in seeing.”
The unit is fitted with the latest diagnostic technology meaning that more tests can be carried out at County Hospital, reducing the need for patients to travel to the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Michelle Ellitts, superintendent radiographer, said: “Advances in technology and increasing referrals mean we need more space and facilities that support how we deliver care today.
“This new unit allows us to provide a smoother, more joined-up experience for patients, with better flow and the ability to carry out more tests in one place.
“Just as importantly, it creates a calm and reassuring environment at what can be a very frightening time.
“We want patients to feel they are in safe hands from the moment they walk through the door, and that’s not just about the equipment or the expertise, it’s about the whole environment and how it makes people feel.”
Four men have been arrested after violence broke out in Mill Street, Bedford early this morning
One man was stabbed but his injury is not life-threatening, and police are asking for anyone who saw what happened to get in touch
Sergeant Luke Williams from Bedfordshire Police said: “We recognise that incidents of this nature can cause concern within the community, however we’d like to reassure residents that this is believed to be a contained incident.
“We believe there were other people in the area at the time, and we would urge anyone with any information to get in touch with us.”
Tottenham Hotspur will lock horns with Aston Villa at Villa Park this Sunday as they hope to secure a win on the road in the Premier League. Spurs managed to earn a narrow 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers recently, so they would go into this game with a lot of confidence.
Roberto De Zerbi will opt for the 4-2-3-1 formation and is expected to make some tweaks to his first team for this game. Richarlison and Mathys Tel would both play from the start of this clash.
Antonin Kinsky will operate in goal for the North London club after keeping a clean sheet in his last outing. Kevin Danso will function alongside Micky van de Ven at the centre of the Tottenham backline as they look to keep a good shape when defending inside his half.
Pedro Porro will try to impress as the right-back, while Djed Spence looks to prove his value on the other side as the left-back. Both of them will hope to go forward and express themselves inside the Aston Villa half.
Radu Dragusin will offer cover for the defensive positions on the bench.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 25: Kevin Danso of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates victory following the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux on April 25, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur will operate as the holding midfielders as they focus on establishing their superiority over the opposition at the centre of the park.
The talented trio of Mathys Tel, Conor Gallagher and Randal Kolo Muani will play just ahead of them as part of De Zerbi’s attack. All three of them need to link up play well with each other in the final third if Spurs are to secure maximum points this weekend.
Joao Palhinha will have to be content with a spot on the bench as he will wait for his chance to impress in the second 45 minutes if required.
Richarlison will spearhead Tottenham’s attack up top. He has to find a way to be a constant menace in the final third.
Dominic Solanke is definitely ruled out for this game. However, James Maddison will be available for selection on the bench and might come on to influence the game in the latter stages if Spurs are in need of a goal.
A killer serving life behind bars in Cambridgeshire has seen another eleven years added to his sentence – after he attacked a Jewish chaplain
A judge called the attack last September by Joseph Gynane a “serious assault motivated by racial hate”.
Detective Constable Emma Purser, who investigated, said: “Gynane was already serving a life sentence for murder, but I am pleased he has now had his sentence extended by quite some time and has faced justice for his actions – which were shocking and despicable.
“The Jewish chaplain involved in this case was providing a valuable service and no-one deserves to be attacked in this way, with such strong violence – and especially not because of their religion.
“I hope this case highlights how seriously both police and the courts take offences of this nature, and serves as a deterrent towards anyone else thinking of committing the same behaviour.”
Coventry city council has renewed a contract with Palantir despite opposition from councillors and trade unions.
The AI and analytics giant, whose technology is used by the Israeli military and by ICE to power US president Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, will receive £750k in the deal.
The contract is an extension of an original 12-month pilot scheme, valued at £500k and signed in September 2025, for work in the children’s services department.
Despite trade unions warning that the agreement posed “serious ethical questions” and calls by councillors to cancel the contract, the Labour-run council said it has “decided to extend its Strategic AI Platform contract for a further year”.
Co-founded by billionaire Peter Thiel and built with CIA funding, Palantir holds more than £600m in contracts with public bodies in the UK, including a £240m deal with the Ministry of Defence and a £330m contract with the NHS.
It also has a number of smaller contracts with local councils and services in the UK, including Bedfordshire and Leicestershire police forces.
“When you outsource judgment about vulnerable children to a surveillance company, you are reaching into the very core of local democratic accountability” Labour MP Clive Lewis told The Nerve.
“These are decisions that should be made by trained, experienced social workers embedded in their communities – not by an algorithm built by a firm whose first clients were spy agencies.”
Independent MP for Coventry South Zarah Sultana posted: “Labour-run Coventry city council has just handed £750,000 to Palantir – a company that profits from hunting immigrants for ICE and produces ‘kill lists’ for the Israeli military.
“A company lobbied for by Mandelson himself. Shame on them.”
A spokesperson for Coventry city council said the pilot had reduced admin, freeing up social workers to spend more time with residents and providing cost savings.
The council insists “strong safeguards are in place” to protect resident data. “No data is shared with third parties or used to train AI models. AI supports staff but does not replace professional judgement – there is no automated decision-making about residents,” the spokesperson said.
