Category: News Story

STORY

Tyler Webb, 23, from Loughborough, has been sentenced to nine years and four months in custody under a hospital order after admitting to encouraging a woman he met online to seriously self-harm and attempt suicide. Webb pleaded guilty to two counts, one of encouraging suicide and another of encouraging or assisting serious self-harm, making him the first individual convicted under Section 184 of the Online Safety Act 2023.

The offences occurred between June and July 2024, when Webb contacted the 21‑year‑old woman through a suicide support forum. Over six weeks, he manipulated and coerced her via messages and video calls, repeatedly urging her to harm herself and kill herself while he watched. On at least one occasion, the victim lost consciousness and required medical attention. The woman later reported the abuse to Leicestershire Police. Detective Constable Lauren Hampton described Webb’s actions as “calculated and disturbing” noting he “quickly gained her trust” before unleashing a series of “vile requests” that could have led to her death.

In victim impact statements, the woman labelled Webb’s actions as “attempted murder through psychological means,” calling the abuse “calculated psychological violence.” She explained that she suffers “lasting impact,” with scars that persist on her arm and a life forever changed despite surviving her ordeal.

Webb was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court to a hybrid order under Section 45A of the Mental Health Act: nine years and four months in prison, followed by a hospital order. The conviction marks a significant milestone in the application of the Online Safety Act, which seeks to criminalise the encouragement of serious self-harm even if it does not result in death.

DC Hampton emphasised the importance of the conviction, praising the victim’s courage in coming forward. She warned that this case serves as “a warning” to others, and that the police will rigorously apply the new law to protect vulnerable individuals from similar abuse. This case sets a clear precedent under the new legislation and establishes a moral benchmark, signalling that society will hold individuals accountable for manipulating others into self-harm under any pretext.

STORY

Dawn Butler MP has called for urgent government action to address the growing crisis of mobile phone theft, citing the widespread impact on victims and the increasing boldness of criminal gangs. Speaking in Parliament, the Labour MP for Brent East highlighted the scale of the problem, with over 300 mobile phones stolen every day, many through violent attacks and robberies.

In her speech, Butler introduced an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill that would impose stricter requirements on phone manufacturers and networks. Her proposal would require companies to block stolen phones within 48 hours of a police report. If they fail to do so, they could face fines of £10,000 per device. She criticised the current voluntary system, stating that the industry has not done enough to deter theft or make phones worthless to criminals.

Butler described mobile phone theft as a gateway crime that fuels more serious organised criminal activity, including fraud and the trafficking of stolen goods abroad. She noted that many phones are quickly unlocked and sold on, often shipped out of the UK within 24 hours. Victims are left not only without their devices but also vulnerable to further crime and financial loss.

Referring to her own experience of being mugged outside Parliament, Butler emphasised the lasting emotional impact of such thefts. She argued that a phone is more than a device—it contains personal memories, sensitive information, and the means to carry out everyday tasks such as banking and communication. The loss can be deeply traumatic, particularly for vulnerable individuals.

The MP called on the government to back her amendment and ensure that companies are held accountable for their role in reducing the market for stolen phones. She said the country needs to “take back control” from criminals, adding that the current system is failing victims. Without mandatory measures, she warned, the cycle of theft and resale will continue unchecked.

STORY

Kyiv experienced the most intense aerial bombardment since the beginning of the war overnight, with hundreds of drones and missiles targeting the Ukrainian capital and surrounding areas. Ukrainian officials reported that the assault lasted for over seven hours, involving more than 500 Iranian-designed Shahed drones and over a dozen ballistic and cruise missiles.

The Ukrainian air force said it successfully intercepted a significant portion of the incoming projectiles, but many still reached their targets. The attacks caused widespread damage across multiple districts in Kyiv, hitting residential areas, railway lines, a school, and a medical facility. Fires broke out in several locations, and emergency services were deployed throughout the night to contain the damage and assist victims.

Authorities confirmed that at least 23 people were injured, with 14 requiring hospital treatment. Air quality in parts of the city deteriorated due to fires and smoke, prompting health warnings and calls for residents to stay indoors and keep windows closed. The Ukrainian government described the attack as a large-scale escalation, linking it to a temporary shortage of Western-supplied air defence interceptors. Officials renewed calls for additional international military support and emphasised the continued need for advanced anti-air systems to protect urban centres.

In response to the barrage, Ukrainian forces reportedly launched retaliatory drone strikes on several sites inside Russia. The latest developments signal a further intensification of hostilities, with both sides showing no sign of de-escalation.

STORY

Zarah Sultana, the MP for Coventry South who has been suspended by the Labour Party, has issued a statement stating that she will be forming a new political party with Jeremy Corbyn, the former Leader of the Labour Party. Sultana said in a statement:

“Labour has completely failed to improve people’s lives. And across the political establishment, from Farage to Starmer, they smear people of conscience trying to stop a genocide in Gaza as terrorists. But the truth is clear: this government is an active participant in genocide. And the British people oppose it.”

Corbyn has yet to issue a public statement on the news.

STORY

The House of Commons has voted 385 to 26 to formally proscribe Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000, marking it as a terrorist organisation alongside neo‑Nazi groups Maniacs Murder Cult and the Russian Imperial Movement. The proscription was prompted by Palestine Action’s break‑in and red‑paint vandalism targeting two RAF Brize Norton aircraft in late June. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the designation was necessary to safeguard national security, declaring that violent or destructive acts have “no place in legitimate protest”. Security Minister Dan Jarvis echoed that the move demonstrated the government’s zero‑tolerance stance toward terrorism, irrespective of ideology.

Critics, such as Labour MP Zarah Sultana and legal groups including Amnesty International, warn the ban may criminalise non‑violent dissent and equate symbolic actions, like red‑paint sprays, with terrorism. Sacha Deshmukh of Amnesty described it as “a disturbing legal overreach” that risks suppressing free speech. Following Commons approval, the order moves to the House of Lords. If endorsed, proscription will take effect immediately, after which membership, support or fundraising for Palestine Action could incur up to 14 years’ imprisonment.

STORY

Fraudsters have stolen over £16 million from music fans in the past year, exploiting the demand for tickets to sold-out concerts by artists like Taylor Swift, Coldplay and Beyoncé. The Home Office and Action Fraud have issued a warning urging the public to take extra care when buying event tickets online, as reports of scams have surged dramatically.

According to data released this week, more than 8,700 people reported falling victim to ticket fraud between May 2023 and May 2024, with the average loss per person coming in at a steep £350. Many victims believed they were purchasing legitimate tickets through unofficial channels, only to be left empty-handed at the gates. The government campaign, launched in conjunction with UK Finance and the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR), is promoting three key rules: always buy from trusted, authorised ticket sellers; beware of deals that seem too good to be true; and take your time before parting with personal or payment details.

Security Minister Tom Tugendhat called the scams “heartless crimes” and emphasised that “we want every music fan to enjoy the experience of seeing their favourite artists live, without being duped by scammers.” Criminals have used increasingly sophisticated methods to target victims, including fake websites that closely mimic official sellers, fraudulent social media accounts, and online marketplaces. In some cases, entire groups of fans were tricked into buying non-existent tickets for the same event, only realising they’d been scammed upon arrival.

STORY

The BBC has alleged that Kemi Badenoch’s spokesperson has suggested that Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, should “make public” the reasons why she was upset in the House of Commons regardless of it being “a personal matter”.

Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s Westminster Leader, said in a statement:

“Like almost all MPs I don’t know why the Chancellor was upset in the Chamber today, but I do hope she is okay and back to her duties this afternoon. Seeing another person in distress is always very difficult, and we are wishing her well.”

STORY

The duo Bob Vylan have been dropped from more festivals following alleged hate speech made from the stage at Glastonbury. The duo’s management company has dropped the performers and the United States has withdrawn their visas in advance of a series of gigs in the country. Gigs at Manchester and in France have been cancelled, with Glastonbury condemning the comments made by the duo. The BBC apologised for broadcasting the performance, saying “the antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves” and Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, said “There is no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech.”

STORY

The Department for Work and Pensions has appointed Kirstin Baker as the interim Chair of The Pensions Regulator, taking up the role from 1 August 2025. She will serve for up to nine months while the government completes the recruitment process for a permanent chair. Baker has been a senior independent board member at the regulator since 2016 and previously chaired its Audit and Risk Committee. Her appointment follows the departure of Sarah Smart, who has stepped down after serving as Chair since 2021.

The role comes with a remuneration of £73,840 a year, based on a commitment of at least 104 working days. The Department said Baker’s appointment would ensure stability and continuity in the organisation’s leadership during a period of ongoing change in the pensions sector. Pensions Minister Torsten Bell welcomed the decision, saying he looked forward to working with Baker and valued the experience she brings from both her existing role at the regulator and her previous work in the civil service.

Baker said she was delighted to be taking on the interim role and thanked her predecessor for her work. She noted her commitment to continuing the regulator’s priorities and helping to guide it through its next phase. Before her work in pensions, Baker had a distinguished career in the civil service, most recently as Finance and Commercial Director at HM Treasury. She was involved in managing the government’s financial response to the 2008 banking crisis, for which she was appointed a CBE.

STORY

In a powerful speech delivered at Salisbury Cathedral for the 2025 Edward Heath Lecture, former Prime Minister Sir John Major launched a stinging attack on Donald Trump’s foreign policy while urging Britain to face economic reality by rejoining the EU Single Market and Customs Union.

Speaking with a frankness unshackled by party loyalty, Sir John condemned what he described as a dangerous shift in the United States’s global stance, criticising President Trump for turning away from long-held Western alliances and instead courting autocrats like Vladimir Putin. “It was as though America had her arms around Putin’s shoulders, and her hands at Zelensky’s throat,” he remarked, accusing Trump of undermining NATO and pursuing deals that aid aggressors at the expense of global stability. “This is not America as I have known her. This is not democracy as I understand it.”

Sir John warned that Trump’s unpredictable style of leadership—while superficially effective—was eroding international norms and emboldening hostile regimes. Comparing modern geopolitics to Kipling’s “Law of the Jungle”, he said Trump’s rhetoric risked legitimising land grabs and coups by authoritarian powers. “If President Trump threatens to seize Canada, why should not Putin seize Ukraine?” he asked.

Turning to Britain’s domestic challenges, Sir John painted a bleak picture of the UK’s economic performance post-Brexit. He lamented stagnant growth, weak productivity and rising debt, arguing that the only “freedom” delivered by Brexit was “the freedom to be poorer”. He warned that Britain had walked away from the largest free trade area in the world and was now suffering the consequences in reduced investment, lower trade growth and a diminished global influence.

In his most explicit policy suggestion to date, Sir John called for the UK to rejoin the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union, describing it as a necessary step to halt economic decline and restore Britain’s international standing. “If we think small, we will be small,” he said, urging politicians to put pragmatism before ideology. While stopping short of advocating full EU membership, he argued that closer European ties were vital if Britain was to compete in a world dominated by American and Chinese superpower rivalry.

His remarks echoed the spirit of Edward Heath, the Prime Minister who led the UK into the European Economic Community in 1973, and who Sir John said had prioritised country over party and policy over popularity. Drawing on that legacy, he concluded with a rallying cry for leadership rooted in honesty, reason and long-term vision: “Each one of us – from my generation down – needs to understand where the world is now… that is the reality. It is work in progress. And, for all our sakes, that endeavour must not fail.”