Man injured in assault outside Ballymena bar
A man has been injured in what police have described as a "serious assault" in Ballymena, County Antrim.The attack happened at about 02:05 BST on Sunday outside a licenced premises in Ballymoney Street.Police and the ambulance service went to the scene and the man was taken to hospital.The police have appealed for information.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
42 minutes ago
- The Sun
I was zombie £300-a-night coke addict who snorted while pregnant & let kids fend for themselves – but I didn't care
ZOEY Clarke used to make sure her two children were in bed by 7pm sharp. But, unlike most mothers, her motivation wasn't so that her kids were well rested for a busy day at school - no, Zoey wanted them away from her so she could binge on drugs. 7 Shockingly, Zoey admits she was so addicted to the Class A drug that she snorted it while pregnant with her daughter Storm, now 15. 'I look back now and can't believe the person I became in the grips of my addiction," Zoey, a hairdresser who lives in Chessington, with Storm and son Sonny, 19, told Fabulous. 'I loved my kids but I neglected them. They had takeaways every night – McDonalds and Domino's were favourites and I'd give them sweets and chocolate whenever they wanted it. Neglected children 'To my shame Storm's teeth were so decayed by the time she was three from all the junk food that she needed every single tooth removed. "I lied and said she had a healthy diet and must just be susceptible to sugar. I was a master at lies and deceit and manipulation – every addict is.' Thankfully Zoey's been clean now for eight years - but admits that every waking moment used to revolve around her cocaine habit. 'I didn't have time for my children, all I could think about was taking drugs,' she says. 'There were never bedtime stories, I'd hustle them into bed and then I'd stay up all night, taking £300 worth of cocaine. 'In the morning I'd have my first of eight red bulls, take the kids to school, still high, invariably forgetting their packed lunch – I'd turn up with a bacon sandwich at school later. 'I'd pick them up late, I missed mufti days and forgot permission slips for school trips. 'It was chaos, the school must have realised something was wrong, but I don't think they knew how to tackle it. 'After school I'd take them to buy some vouchers for their gaming devices, and then get them a takeaway, and make sure they were in bed by 7pm – I wanted them shut away from me.' Zoey is now rebuilding her relationships with her children - but it has been a long journey. Decaying teeth 'I feel so lucky that they've stood by me, but rebuilding the relationships was tough,' she says. 'Sonny only told me he loved me for the first time a few months ago. 'They were understandably full of resentment, I wasn't there for him, I never even helped with their homework or took them to the playground. 'There was nothing normal about their childhood as recovery isn't easy either. I had to learn to be a mum to them and earn their trust that the 'new' version of me was here to stay. And even now they worry about my health.' 7 7 Their worries are justified. On March 15th Zoey had her fourth stroke. Her first was in 2020 and she had two more in 2021 and 2022. Doctors have told her it's due to the abuse she put her body through while in the grips of addiction. She remembers: 'We'd been for a day out in Brighton and I was cooking supper, I picked up the saucepan with rice in it and my hand started shaking, I sat down feeling horrendous and my whole arm started tingling. 'I knew what was happening, and a friend drove me straight to the hospital where I stayed in the high dependency unit for two days. 'I'm recovering but my arm is still weak. I've been put on new meds and I just have to hope that I won't have another one. 'But it's hard for them, seeing me in a hospital bed and we're all aware that strokes can be fatal.' Zoey's addiction started in 1997 when she was just 17 and met her ex-partner, the father of her children. She says: 'I'd tried drugs a couple of years earlier on a night out and hated it. 'But this time I took a line with a rolled up bus ticket in the loos of a pub and I loved it. I felt euphoric. 'At the time a lot of friends used recreationally and it didn't seem like a big deal.' However Zoey soon started using it regularly and within six months she was addicted. She says: 'I can't explain why as I didn't really enjoy it – the image is that it's a party drug. 'But I'd use on my own, taking it at work – I had various jobs from being a barmaid to running a sunbed salon – it was all day every day, lining it up on the sunbeds or in the toilet. 'I'd go home to my partner at night and carry on. 'Over the years I tried to stop many times – I hated using. I went to Narcotics Anonymous meetings and I longed to be clean, but I couldn't find anything that worked.' In desperation in May 2005 Zoey tried to take her own life – she felt it was the only way she could stop. Her partner found her and she pulled through but was sectioned and then went into residential rehab for 12 weeks. Many people would question why Zoey chose to have children when she fell pregnant shortly after getting out of rehab. She explains: 'I was clean at the time and I had severe endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome and I'd always desperately wanted children and it felt like my only chance. 'I was under the care of social services because of my suicide attempt and I had drug tests throughout my pregnancy and afterwards. 'When Sonny was born he was put into the custody of my parents and so I left the flat I shared with my partner and moved in with them. 'I wish I could say I bonded with Sonny, but I struggled. I wasn't in the right place mentally after all I'd been through. After a year social services allowed me to have custody of Sonny and I moved back in with my partner. 'To my shame I started using again, I hadn't tackled the root causes of my addiction and so I fell of the wagon. I only took it once he was asleep, telling myself that it was OK if he didn't see me high. 'I cared for him in that I'd always change his nappies and he was fed regularly – but it was just the basics. 'As an addict you don't even love yourself, let alone anyone else. I just existed.' And when she fell pregnant with Storm she kept on using. How cocaine destroys your health, face and life The nose One of the most recognisable signs of cocaine overuse is a collapsed nose. The drug is snorted via the nose. Because it is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it narrows the blood vessels, blood flow is reduced. As the nasal tissue becomes starved of oxygen in the blood, it becomes damaged. FRANK, a national drug advisory service, says: 'Over time, snorting cocaine damages the cartilage in your nose that separates your nostrils. 'Heavy users can lose this cartilage and end up with one large nostril and a misshapen nose.' Users may also have difficulty with breathing and damage to nasal passages can also lead to chronic sinus infections. The mouth and facial deformity Chronic cocaine use doesn't only affect the nose - it can also harm the roof of the mouth or the hard palate, causing palatal perforation, according to UK Addiction Treatment Centres. Palatal perforation can lead to severe issues, such as difficulty speaking or voice changes, problems with eating and drinking and higher risk of infections due to the open gap between the nose and mouth. With the potential loss of nose cartilage, destruction of nasal tissue and sinuses and the mouth, the face may change shape with chronic cocaine use. Use of the drug can also cause the face to bloat and eyes to become bloodshot. Mental health Regular use of cocaine can dampen a person's mood. It can make them feel depressed, run down, anxious or paranoid, FRANK warns. It says: 'Cocaine can bring previous mental health problems to the surface too, and if a relative has had mental health problems, there might be an increased risk for you.' Infections Constant cocaine use will weaken your body's immune system. This makes it harder to fight off any infection - or blood-borne diseases that may occur when sharing needles. Heart The heart comes under a lot of pressure from cocaine use. It increases blood clots, which in turn can lead to heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms, strokes and deep vein thrombosis. 'It can also cause inflammation and death of the heart muscle, deterioration of the heart's ability to contract, as well as aortic ruptures, angina and permanently increased blood pressure,' says the Priory Group. Life-ruining The impact of cocaine use goes beyond obvious health issues. It can cause social withdrawal, financial problems, loss of job or reputation and risky behaviour, such as unsafe sex or driving when high. If you or someone you know is struggling with cocaine use, seeking professional help is crucial to prevent further harm. Try visiting Talk to FRANK, the NHS website, Narcotics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous. She says: 'I tried so hard not to, and be clean for a few days but then I'd succumb, I hated myself but I couldn't stop. 'I wanted to be a proper mum – a loving and supportive one like my mum had been to me. 'But addiction ruled my life. I was half a person, staying up taking line after line all night and a zombie during the day fuelled by Red Bull and Nurofen for my crippling headaches. I could barely get the kids up.' It was tragedy that started Zoey on the path to getting clean. She says: 'A good friend had terminal breast cancer, she was fighting so hard to live and be around for her son. 'Sadly she lost the battle. It made me realise I was wrecking my body and wouldn't be alive for my kids if I carried on. I'm very lucky that they've forgiven me for the neglect they went through Zoey Clarke 'On December 30th 2017 I looked at my children at the kitchen table, they looked so worried and the house was a tip. A switch flipped in my head and I knew I couldn't do it to them anymore. 'They deserved a proper mum, who loved and cared for them.' On New Year's day Zoey split up with her ex and asked her mum and doctor for help – she's been clean ever since. She says: 'I asked my mum for support. I knew I needed someone to be accountable to so I asked her to drug test me three times a week. 'She's always been there for me, she used to help with the children and we're very close. I can't say it was easy either mentally or physically but slowly with therapy I got there and started being the mum my children deserved.' Physically the drug took its toll. Zoe was diagnosed with diabetes, as she hadn't looked after her diet at all while using and she's also got a hole in her nose. But she's doing all she can to stay fit and healthy – she's careful with her diet and monitors her blood sugar and takes insulin. She also does Facebook Lives every week to help other people struggling with addiction. And most importantly she spends quality time with her children. 'I'm so proud of them,' she says. 'I'm very lucky that they've forgiven me for the neglect they went through. "I look at myself now and think you selfish disgusting human being, they didn't deserve it, no child does. 'That's why I'm speaking out. I'm in no doubt about the way drugs have affected my children. I live with it every day. 'Your children might not see you using or understand why their life isn't normal. But they know it isn't and suffer.' 7
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Mystery surrounds death of woman who vanished from her home: 'She was the gentlest, kindest little lady'
The death of woman who vanished from her Melbourne home before turning up a week later in a hospital with severe injuries has sparked a homicide investigation. Julia Neira, 63, was reported missing by a neighbour on June 14 after she left her home at Noble Park, in Melbourne 's southeast, a few days earlier and failed to return. The Chilean national who emigrated to Australia had been seen talking with a man shortly before leaving the property. Two days after police were notified she was missing, they located Ms Neira in Dandenong Hospital with injuries described by police as 'consistent with being seriously assaulted.' She died from her injuries on Friday evening. Homicide Squad detectives are investigating her death, which is being treated as suspicious. Police confirmed they spoke with a 62-year-old Endeavour Hills man in relation to the incident. He has been released without charge pending further enquiries. Police believe Ms Neira and the man were known to each other. Officers confirmed they were able to speak with Ms Neira in hospital before her death. 'At this time, the exact circumstances surrounding the incident which led to her being injured are still being determined,' a police spokesperson said. Officers have been canvassing the area and collecting CCTV footage from around her Marna Court address from June 7 to June 14. Ms Neira's relatives live in Chile, and neighbours said the Marna Court community had become like the woman's second family. Ms Neira had lived in the area for six years. One neighbour told the Herald Sun the 63-year-old was an 'angel.' Another said Ms Neira was always ready for a cup of tea and a talk and that she was a loyal friend. 'She was the softest, gentlest, kindest little lady,' friend, Suzanne, told Nine News. 'I didn't sleep all night, I think Julia where are you, what's happened to you,' another neighbour, Zorca, said. 'I miss her so much.' Police are tracking down Ms Neira's next of kin overseas to notify them. Detectives said they were keen to speak to anyone who may have further information about the circumstances leading up to Ms Neira's death. Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Life on seaside town estate where locals are plagued by cannabis smoking louts and where 'most people have been to prison or been robbed'
With its sweeping beaches, gentle waves and rows of brightly coloured chalets, picturesque Scarborough draws millions of visitors every year. The historic North Yorkshire resort, dubbed the Jewel of the North, boasts elegant Victorian architecture, a historic castle, and some of the most stunning views in Britain. Yet, just a mile from the bustling seafront and promenade lies a very different town - not seen on the postcards. Tucked behind the tourist trail is Barrowcliff, a post-war housing estate that has long been associated with drugs, crime and poverty. This is a place where buses once refused to stop, where the stench of cannabis hangs in the air, and where even Father Christmas stayed away after being targeted by yobs. Mother-of-three Anoushka Waller, 46, who has lived on the estate for 25 years, said: 'You've got to be tough to live around here but I can deal with it. Some people can be a bit vicious and vindictive, and they want to cause trouble. 'There's a lot of weed around here. You breathe it in walking down the street like it's fresh air, there's that much of it. 'It's not great when the kids are playing in the street and there's the smell of cannabis everywhere. 'The police have raided a lot of places – they come searching fairly often. 'But when trouble happens, I don't think they get out here fast enough.' Another woman, Kerry, 47, who has lived on the estate her whole life, told how appearances from Father Christmas were scrapped after yobs tried to mug his charity float. She said: 'The bus didn't pull up on this side of the street for years because the drivers were too scared to come down here. 'They stopped Santa coming up for about 10 years because someone tried robbing him. 'That's how bad it got. 'But I've lived here all my life. It's my home. 'People say it's dangerous and we're all crazy but we're the nicest people you could meet. 'If you spent a day on this estate you'd have the biggest laugh you'd ever had in your life.' Barrowcliff has been at the centre of a strong-armed police response to drive out crime and anti-social behaviour. Pictures released by North Yorkshire Police in recent months show officers raiding terraced houses and carting off suspected drug dealers. When Mail Online visited the estate on a warm Friday night, school-age children loitered in the street on scooters while the smell of cannabis hung firmly in the air. But there was a general calm with no sign of rowdy teens causing trouble or drug dealing. One woman, Julie, told Mail Online: 'If you're right with people, they'll be right with you. 'Don't get me wrong, I've had my share of trouble. 'I've been robbed at knifepoint, my door's been beaten down and my child was knocked unconscious. 'I was Tasered by police because I was chasing criminals down the street. 'You've got to stand up for yourself around here. 'I've been to jail, my son's been to jail, my ex is in jail. It's not just the lads, it's the girls as well. 'It's just part of life.' She insisted: 'Barrowcliffe does drugs but it doesn't do hard drugs. Here it's about weed, nothing but weed. 'People have us down as Class A but it's cannabis. There aren't many who don't smoke it.' Her adult son, who did not give his name, added: 'The estate is better than it used to be. 'You wouldn't have been able to get on the estate a few years ago. They would have nicked your camera. 'But there are too many grasses now so people have moved out to do their s*** elsewhere.' In 2024, a Home Office strategy called 'Clear, Hold, Build' was launched in Barrowcliff to root out crime. In March, specialist police officers rammed through doors to execute drug warrants on Wreyfield Drive – the latest in a series of dramatic raids on the estate. Two months earlier, a teenage drug dealer who attacked another male with a shovel on Barrowcliff Road was detained for six years in a young offender institution. Matthew Heap, 18, described by police as a 'well-known figure on the estate', battered his victim repeatedly over the head, leaving him with multiple injuries. When arrested, Heap was also found in possession of 30 wraps of heroin and a 'burner' phone. Police said upon sentencing: 'Heap is a well-known figure on the Barrowcliff estate, and we believe some witnesses hesitated to come forward due to fear of repercussions.' Despite taking Heap off the streets, locals warned that someone else would be ready to take his place. A father of four, who had lived on the street for a decade, said: 'The police come all the time and nick people for drugs. 'Some of them don't come back – either prison or they get shipped elsewhere. 'The problem is as soon as one dealer goes, another comes takes his place. It's like a virus you can't get rid of.' Ewa Winkler, 37, moved to Scarborough from Lodz in Poland with her 12-year-old son. She said she preferred life in the Barrowcliff estate to her 'crazy' native home. She said: 'People said I was mad to move here – that it was dangerous. But I've lived here for four years and it's pretty quiet. 'In Lodz, I was scared to go out anywhere. Here, I'm going out at 9pm and nothing happens. 'Compared to Poland, it's a different world. 'A few weeks ago my son was beaten up in front of the takeaway which wasn't a nice situation. 'But I think that was a one-off. 'There were a lot of kids running drugs but that's changed in the past couple of years. 'The place has definitely improved.' Locals say the estate has improved in recent years thanks to a crackdown on drug dealing and anti-social behaviour, but they admit life on the margins can still be tough - especially for families raising children. Mother of three Anne-Marie Earle, 40, said: 'I love it here - but it is crap. 'It's crap for the young ones because they can't go anywhere or do anything. 'They're just left to their own devices on the street. That's when you get the criminal damage and the vandalism - because they're bored. Because there's nowt to do. 'You've got to be tough around here - it's Barrowcliff. You can smell the drugs everywhere. 'It can get a bit lively during the evening. You hear all the sirens and all the smack heads are walking about. 'We're desperate for this to be a better place for the children.' Scarborough, despite its Victorian grandeur, is considerably poorer than the rest of North Yorkshire, with the highest levels of homelessness and the poorest health outcomes. The town has long been a target for County Lines drug gangs - criminal networks who exploit teenagers to sell Class A drugs. One gang based in the West Midlands flooded the town with heroin and crack cocaine, using local children to carry out their dirty work. Its ringleader Riccardo Nathaniel Donalds, 36, from Birmingham - known as Ghost - was jailed for seven years in March. Detective Constable Darrel Temple from Scarborough and Ryedale CID, who led the investigation, said: 'Referring to their own county lines drugs conspiracy as 'Ghost', the group thought they could operate with impunity between the West Midlands and Scarborough. 'Unfortunately for them, North Yorkshire Police 'ain't afraid of no ghost' or any other drug dealers for that matter.' Scarborough was last month handed nearly £20m of government investment to improve its neighbourhoods. Council chiefs insist change is coming and work is already under way to offer a brighter future. When Mail Online visited the town, our reporters saw people brazenly breaching a recent police ban on street drinking. At the seafront, shortly before midnight, around 15 teenagers and young adults gathered to drink and smoke as boy racers zoomed across a car park. North Yorkshire Council's assistant chief executive for local engagement, Rachel Joyce, said: 'We work closely with partner agencies to support young people at risk of anti-social behaviour, offering early intervention and positive opportunities to help them make better choices and keep our communities safe. 'While we take concerns about crime seriously it's also important to recognise the significant investment that we're making to support Scarborough's long-term future. 'This includes a concerted campaign that is underway and involves working with the community and our partners for a series of clean-up events that are running throughout the summer, and we are also promoting culture and the arts through the Scarborough Fair initiative. 'A major investment in Scarborough is also planned through the Government's Plan for Neighbourhoods initiative, which has seen £20 million allocated to the town to support regeneration, create job opportunities, and improve health and wellbeing.' North Yorkshire Police coast commander, Superintendent Rachel Wood, added: 'North Yorkshire Police works collaboratively with North Yorkshire Council in Scarborough to combat crime and disorder to make it a safe space for residents, businesses, and visitors. 'When necessary, we do utilise dispersal powers to quickly deal with arising anti-social behaviour, including incidents involving young people. We have issued 44 dispersal notices in the last six months alone. 'Our officers and PCSOs are fully engaged in the communities they serve and work with parents and local schools to help steer young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour. 'We also actively detect and deter drug dealing, including those involved in County Lines. 'As ever, it is vital that such incidents are reported to the police on 101 or via the North Yorkshire Police website. 'Alongside our community partners, we will continue to do everything we can to ensure Scarborough remains a safe place for everyone.'
