Latest news with #BernardKennedy
BBC News
07-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Young train drivers could help staff shortages, train driver says
Teenage train drivers could help staff shortages 11 minutes ago Share Save Clara Bullock & John Darvall BBC News, Bristol Share Save PA Media People as young as 18 could learn how to drive trains A train driver has claimed allowing 18-year-olds to drive locomotives could tackle a shortage as many staff approach retirement. Bernard Kennedy from Stable Hill in Bristol has worked in the rail industry for 42 years, 33 years of which he was a train driver. Speaking on BBC Radio Bristol Mr Kennedy welcomed the government's decision to lower the minimum age to be a train driver to 18 from 20-years-old. He said: "At first I was a bit concerned or suspicious but having given it some thought, I've come to the conclusion that if you're young enough to get married, to vote, to fight and die for your country, you're old enough to be a train driver." "It's a big responsibility but given the proper training, overall it's not a problem," Mr Kennedy added. A lot of train drivers are currently retiring, Mr Kennedy said, which prompted the decision to lower the minimum age. "The train companies have been aware of this. Some of them have been recruiting but others not so," he said. The average age of a UK train driver is 48, with 30% set to reach retirement age by 2029, according to the Department for Transport. In addition, the department said many cancellations made the night before are due to driver shortages. "I would think lowering the age would help if they're successful in recruiting that many people," Mr Kennedy said. "All those things is why you see cancellations or trains arriving in Temple Meads with half the carriages they should have." Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Drug mule who 'ran out of money' while on holiday in Thailand caught trying to smuggle 48kg of cannabis through Manchester Airport
A drug mule, who 'ran out of money' whilst on holiday in Thailand, was caught with 48kg of cannabis on him at a British airport. Bernard Kennedy, 46, travelled from Bangkok via Dubai but was left waiting at Manchester Airport when his suitcases were delayed on March 20 this year. When the luggage arrived, officers found 48 kilos of vacuum-wrapped packages of cannabis worth up to £144,000. Officers later brought the empty suitcases back to Kennedy who confirmed they were his. He was arrested and charged and has since pleaded guilty to being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug. He would later try to suggest to officers that he had run out of cash when he was abroad, and said that he was approached by others who promised he would get a handsome figure for taking the suitcases back to Manchester. However, sentencing judge Recorder Jeremy Lasker told Manchester Crown Court: 'I don't accept he ran out of money over there and by chance somebody helped him out and said 'take this back with you'. 'He made similar trips in November, December, January, February and March.' His barrister, Huw Edwards, said Kennedy was in a relationship which required him to go to the country so often, and that he had been charged with just one offence. 'He is extremely remorseful for his involvement. In reality, the courts are well versed in people who bring drugs into the country,' he said. 'They are never the main authors. They are, ultimately, drug mules. They take all the risk and obtain very little in reward.' The court heard Kennedy had worked in a children's home for 20 years, but had struggled with his mental health after his father passed away. Jailing Kennedy, of Grizedale in Widnes, for two years, Recorder Lasker told him: 'You clearly had some idea of the size of this importation if nothing but by the weight of those suitcases.' Kennedy will serve half the term in prison before being released on licence.
