News and Knowledge

Infected Blood Scandal: Inquiry into ‘biggest NHS treatment disaster in history’ to publish findings 

A public inquiry into the infected blood scandal is due to publish its findings, after being dubbed the ‘biggest treatment disaster in NHS history’.   HIV and hepatitis C-infected blood was given to more than 30,000 people in blood transfusions and contaminated blood products for more than two decades. The scandal affected two groups of vulnerable people, who needed blood…

Teacher found guilty of sexual offences against two schoolboys

A school teacher has been found guilty of having sex with two schoolboys after falling pregnant with one whilst on bail.   Rebecca Joynes, 30, was convicted of four counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of sexual activity with another child, by a jury at Manchester Crown Court today.     The jury was told…

Silicosis: Stonemason diagnosed with lung disease after working on historic castle

A stonemason diagnosed with severe lung conditions from harmful dust exposure while working on a historic cathedral says he lives in “constant pain.”   Gordon Walters, 60, started working on the maintenance and renovation of Elgin Cathedral in Moray, north-east Scotland, at age 16 in the 1980s. Over five years, he was exposed to large…

NHS Trust made a ‘number of failures’ before girl, 6, died of sepsis

An NHS trust made a ‘number of failures’ before a six-year-old girl died from sepsis after being incorrectly discharged from hospital, an inquest has heard.   Maya Siek died at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, Kent, on December 21 2022, after being sent home with antibiotics for suspected tonsillitis two days earlier. However, an…

Man sues British Airways for £5,000,000 after slipping on puddle of Baileys

A man is suing British Airways after he slipped on a puddle of Baileys Irish Cream liquor whilst running to catch his flight.   Andreas Wuchner claims he was travelling from London Heathrow to Zurich when the spilt alcohol caused him to slip and fall. Although it is unclear how the alcohol ended up on the floor,…

Company fined £200k after electrical explosion left worker with serious burns

A company has been fined more than £200,000 after an electrical explosion caused a worker to suffer serious burns, a broken arm and fractured ribs.   The incident occurred at Copper Hill industrial estate in Lincolnshire in July 2021 when a worker was tasked with moving heavy-duty electrical wires, with a metal crowbar on an…

Historic Abuse: Man jailed for ‘catalogue of sexual abuse’ against young boys

A 70-year-old man who carried out a “catalogue of sexual abuse” against young boys over three decades has been jailed.   Keith Lockwood, of Park Lane, Keighley was described as a ‘serial abuser’ by detectives, after carrying out offences during the 1970s, 80s and 90s. This week, Leeds Crown Court heard how Lockwood committed sexual…

Romance Scam: Woman conned out of life savings after man claimed to be a spy

A woman has spoken out after she was conned out of her entire life savings by a man who claimed he was a spy.   According to the BBC, notorious Mark Acklom tricked Carolyn Woods into thinking he was an MI6 agent and successful businessman in order to take a total of £850,000 from her.…

Council told to apologise after refusing to rehome domestic abuse victim

A local council has been told to apologise after refusing to rehome a woman who was at risk of domestic abuse.   Kirklees Council delayed moving the woman for more than a month, despite evidence showing that she was at risk of harm of her former partner, a report by the Local Government Ombudsman found.…