Latest news with #MartiniArchive
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dad of murdered boy speaks out as son's killer back in court for string of offences
The dad of a teenager who was stabbed to death in Bolton has spoken out after his son's killer appeared at Leeds Crown Court after an attack on a prison officer. Reece Tansey was aged just 15 when he was fatally attacked with a kitchen knife in Walker Avenue, Great Lever, on May 4, 2021. James White, now 19, was detained for 15 years for murder while Mark Nuttall, 19, was sentenced to six years for the manslaughter of Reece at Manchester Crown Court. Reece Tansey was fatally attacked in 2021. (Image: Ian Nice) White was nicknamed the 'the Snapchat killer' after he arranged a fight with Reese via social media. Yet White appeared in court for a second time in March, this time charged with a string of offences including wounding with intent, the unauthorised possession in prison of an offensive weapon, false imprisonment and affray. His accomplice, Jack Rose, was up for affray, wounding with intent, would/inflict grievous bodily harm without intent, false imprisonment and unauthorised possession of an offensive weapon. READ MORE: The incident occurred while both men were at Wetherby Young Offender Institute and involved a prison officer, who had a razor blade held to his face by Rose. White received a total custodial period of four years and 10 months, which he will serve on top of his 15-year sentence for the murder. James White appeared at Leeds Crown Court in April. (Image: Martini Archive) Rose received a total custodial period of eight years and 10 months for the attack. Speaking to The Bolton News Reece's father, Ian Nice, described the moment he heard that his son's killer was back in court: 'I didn't get a letter or anything, I just remember getting a phone call from the probation service warning me that James would be back in court and to stay off of social media to avoid seeing anything, my blood was boiling. 'I think it's disgusting he's been back in court, and he will never change his ways. He hasn't shown any remorse or change at all in his behaviour. Ian Nice with Reese. (Image: Martini Archive) 'My concern is about public safety; he should be in for life for what he's done. I am concerned for myself and my family when he gets out.' Ian went on to describe his son as 'so loving, he was funny and cheeky". He said: 'Reece loved playing games and tormenting me. He loved life, he loved his people, and he loved his family. 'It's left a big hole in my life, people say it gets easier when time goes on. "But when you're a dad and you've lost your son to knife crime, nothing can take away that pain.' The CPS has been contacted for comment.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mum of 3-month-year-old's challenge to fundraise to pay for her cancer treatment
A young mum is 'stepping out' on a new challenge in a bid to raise funds for life-extending cancer treatment. Gemma Small from Horwich, is preparing for the second stage of specialist cancer treatment by taking part in a 24,000 steps a day challenge. Joined by her mum, Paula, the 33-year-old new mum is being encouraged by her partner Ciaren and three month old son, Samuel. Gemma Small from Horwich, is preparing for the second stage of specialist cancer treatment by taking part in a 24,000 steps a day challenge. (Image: Martini Archive) The first stage in Gemma's £200,000 treatment has been carried out 240 miles from her home at The Spire Hospital in Southampton thanks in part to a Go Fund Me appeal plus Gemma and Ciaren's savings along with some help from their wider family. The next cycle is in around six weeks and will cost another £43,000. To help fund the cost Gemma and Paula are taking on the 24,000 steps a day between them over 10 days. READ MORE: Explained Paula: 'This is about 12 miles each day, ten for me and two for Gemma. The level of difficulty is very similar for each of us when taking into account Gemma is recovering from her first chemo-saturation treatment. 'We will finish on Monday (25th May 2025). If you're able to, please consider sponsoring us.' Donations can be made through the 'Gemma's Journey' Facebook page. Thanking those who have already donated, mum Paula, said: 'We're pleased the first procedure went very well. But we need to continue raising more Go Fund Me cash for this vital treatment to enable us to create precious memories for little Samuel. 'There will soon be some money available from family members beginning the process to sell some of their retirement investments.' Each cancer treatment cycle includes all pre-op assessments, the skill of many specialists - including chemosaturation doctors, anaesthetists and nurses. The stay in hospital, however long is needed, is covered in costs, including any time needed in intensive care. Paula added: 'We can contact Gemma's specialist nurse at any time, whether in hospital or at home. She liaises between us and her doctor throughout.' Gemma, was diagnosed with Uveal Melanoma three years ago. A year later, after successful treatment, Gemma was told it would have no impact on her life expectancy - life could carry on as normal. Following this, she and Ciaren decided to start a family and Samuel was born on February 3 this year. When Samuel was two-weeks-old, Gemma had a routine liver scan which revealed a shadow on the liver. Clatterbridge Cancer Centre told Gemma there was no cure and no viable treatments available on the NHS due to the complexities of Gemma's long-term debilitating conditions – including lupus. Ciaren, a joiner by trade, says he and Gemma have been overwhelmed by incredible generosity. The Go Fund Me appeal has already topped £32,000. Any funds left over at the end of Gemma's treatment will be donated to help other people access life-saving or life-extending treatments.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Communities, care homes and Covid': Five years on since Bolton locked down
Last Sunday officially marked the fifth anniversary of a day when everyone's lives in Bolton and across the UK were irrefutably changed beyond belief. The then Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the first UK-wide coronavirus lockdown on 23 March 2020. The order came into place immediately and was then made legally effective just three days later from Thursday, March 26, 2020. Every person in the UK had to comply with a list of measures including staying at home except for very limited purposes, certain businesses and venues had to close and no more gatherings were allowed of more than two people in public. An empty Bolton town centre (Image: Martini Archive) In Bolton the community pulled together to battle the virus after infection rates soared. This included members of Bolton Council to vital frontline healthcare workers, army troops that supported medics, residents and selfless volunteers. Bolton Council cabinet member for health and wellbeing Cllr Jackie Schofield said: 'As a key worker, clinician and staff representative during the Covid-19 pandemic my thoughts are with everyone who was impacted at the time as well as those who continue to be impacted by the effects of the pandemic. 'It was a difficult time, and the effects still continue to this day, we continue to thank brave key workers who kept Bolton's community safe.' Elderly residents in care homes were among the most vulnerable to the spreading coronavirus. Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Andy Morgan, himself a care home owner, says that the way people across the community responded was key to tackling the virus. He said: "Reflecting on the past five years since the Covid-19 lockdown, it's clear that Bolton, like many communities, faced immense challenges but also showed remarkable resilience. "Our businesses, schools and community organisations adapted quickly, and the spirit of solidarity across the town was truly inspiring. "While the pandemic tested us in many ways, it also highlighted Bolton's strength, innovation and the willingness of people to come together in support of one another." The lockdown was five years ago today. (Image: Martini Archive) It was on March 23 that The Bolton News reported the borough's first death relating to Covid-19, as a patient in their 70s who had underlying health issues succumbed to the virus at the Royal Bolton Hospital. Across the UK, just under 227,000 people died who had the virus listed as a cause of death – with more than 16,000 fatalities in Scotland. The lasting impact of the pandemic is still felt today, with campaigners have also warned years of austerity made the UK dangerously underprepared for Covid-19 and that any additional spending cuts would leave the country even more vulnerable to the next pandemic. READ MORE: The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has been set up to examine the UK's response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and learn lessons for the future. Council Leader Cllr Nick Peel said: "Lockdown was an extremely difficult time for people across Bolton and beyond. "Bolton went through more disruption than most other places, as the town had its own separate lockdowns. "It was difficult and my heart goes out to those who did not have the adequate space during this period of time. "But it did bring the community together, along with Bolton's network of community and voluntary groups who worked together to ensure that vulnerable people felt less alone during such a turbulent period."
