Latest news with #BBCMerseyside
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wedding bid blocked at 'dignified' coastal venue
A landmark described as "seemly and dignified" by planning inspectors has been denied permission to host weddings. Fort Perch Rock, a coastal defence in New Brighton which dates back to just after the Napoleonic wars, is home to a cafe bar, function rooms and exhibitions. Its owners wanted to use it to hold marriage ceremonies, but a lack of disabled access to its upper floors meant its bid was denied by Wirral Council. Owner Douglas Darroch told planners on Friday he "could have turned [it] into a casino or a strip club but that is disrespectful to the building", adding: "We are trying to find ways to generate cash to take the building forward." Mr Darroch added that people had asked in the past about using the venue for weddings. He said: "It's part of our business plan to bring life to the building which we are trying to do now... with the escape room, cafe, and the museum opening next year." Councillors raised concerns about the walkway into the fort, disability access and fire risk management. The building, which is 32 ft (9m) high, was completed in 1829 and is due to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its foundation stone being laid next year. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Wirral Council
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
No safeguards when kickboxer, 15, died
A 15-year-old three-time world kickboxing champion died from a severe traumatic brain injury after an unsanctioned fight which had no safeguards, a coroner has ruled. Alex Eastwood suddenly collapsed after the charity bout in Wigan against a 17-year-old opponent and died three days later, on 29 June last year. Coroner Michael Pemberton said the fight was unsanctioned and the safeguards that were meant to exist "simply didn't". He described the regulation of kickboxing as "chaotic and disjointed". Alex's family said the inquest had made clear his death was "not a tragic accident", but was "a failure of safeguarding and regulation". Mr Pemberton, who returned a finding of misadventure, had already taken the unusual step of writing a Prevention of Future Death Report airing his concerns about a lack of regulatory guidance in terms of any child combat sports. He said: "During the course of this hearing the evidence has reflected a chaotic and somewhat disjointed approach in which I'm not satisfied participants or parents are made fully aware of the risks that may ensue." Alex, who had just finished his GCSEs, fought three rounds at the TKMA Gym before becoming seriously unwell. The coroner said emergency services had done everything they could to try to save Alex. The coroner addressed the boy's parents who were in court, saying: "The circumstances of this tragic case have left many numb. "I'm sure there will be an encore of issues to seek changes on as part of his legacy." Mr Pemberton referred to the lack of pre-bout meeting between the fighters, referee and coaches to lay down the "ground rules" for the bout. He said: "The planning of the event and lack of risk assessment was sub-optimal in this regard." Outside the hearing, Alex's step-mother Nikita Eastwood said: "No child should go into a gym to do something they love and not come home. "What happened to him was not just a tragic accident - the inquest has made clear to us that it was a failure of safeguarding, of responsibility, and of regulation. "Alex died after a fight that we now see should never have happened." She added: "There was no national governing body involvement, and no clear or enforced safety standards. "His death must be a line in the sand so that these failures change. "We urge those in power to act swiftly and decisively to prevent the risk of this happening to another child. There must be clear, enforceable, national protections for children in combat sports." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Kickboxer, 15, 'fought man, 34, week before death' Kickboxer, 15, died after charity bout, inquest told Coroner's child kickboxer death warning Office of the Chief Coroner Children's Commissioner for England Department for Culture Media and Sport Kickboxing GB
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Boy, 15, held on suspicion of carrying firearm
A 15-year-old boy has been arrested after reports of someone carrying what was believed to be a firearm in their pocket in Liverpool. Members of the public contacted officers following the incident in Merthyr Grove, Childwall, at about 15:00 BST, Merseyside Police said. There was no suggestion the item was used to threaten or harm anyone, the force added. The teenager, from Childwall, was arrested in nearby in Chelwood Avenue on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate. Detectives are speaking to potential witnesses and analysing CCTV from the area. Det Insp Mike Fletcher said: "We are grateful to the members of the public who reported this incident and we have been able to make a swift arrest as a result. "Officers will remain in the area conducting an extensive search as we seek to get a full understanding of what happened." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Merseyside Police
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Woman's attempted murder accused appears in court
A man has appeared in court accused of attempted murder after a woman was allegedly attacked in a Liverpool street. Merseyside Police said officers were called to Phythian Close in Kensington at about 20:25 BST on Friday following reports of a woman being assaulted. The woman, who is in her 30s, suffered injuries to her chest and face, the force said. Olamuyiwa Otti, who has also been charged with assault, was remanded in custody when he appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court. The 48-year-old is due before Liverpool Crown Court on 30 June. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. HM Courts & Tribunals Service
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cyclist 'recklessly' fires crossbow at house
A cyclist has opened fire with a crossbow at a house in a town on Merseyside. A "male offender" whose face was covered attacked the house on Madryn Avenue in Kirkby on Sunday just after 09:00 BST, with arrows striking the front door and a window. He was then seen riding off on a bicycle, Merseyside Police said. Nobody was hurt in the incident but the force said firing the weapon in a residential street "so recklessly" could have had "far more serious consequences". Officers are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam, CCTV, or doorbell camera footage to come forward. They said they believed the incident was "targeted" but there was a police presence in the area to give reassurance to the community. Det Insp Darren Hankin said: "I know residents in Kirkby will be shocked and saddened to hear that a crossbow has been used in the heart of their community. "To fire such a weapon in a residential street so recklessly could clearly have had far more serious consequences, and we are grateful that nobody is reported to have been hurt during this incident." He said officers were "conducting extensive enquiries to locate him, seize the weapon and bring him to justice". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Two women injured in attack involving crossbow Crossbow killer jailed for life for triple murders Merseyside Police
