Latest news with #BlackpoolVictoriaHospital
Russia Today
12 hours ago
- Russia Today
British gay couple charged over rape and murder of baby they wanted to adopt
British secondary school teacher Jamie Varley has been charged with the murder and sexual assault of a 13-month-old boy that he and his boyfriend John McGowan-Fazakerley were in the process of adopting. The couple appeared in Preston Crown Court on Monday, nearly two years after the baby boy, Preston Davey, was pronounced dead at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in 2023. Both defendants were initially arrested, but later released on bail. Lancashire Police later re-arrested and charged Varley with a slew of offenses including murder, two counts of assault by penetration of a male child under 13 and five counts of child cruelty. He also stands accused of multiple counts of taking indecent photographs, distributing an image and possession of an extreme pornographic image of the victim, as well as other offenses. His co-defendant McGowan-Fazakerley has been charged with causing and allowing the death of a child, sexual assault of a child, and two counts of cruelty to a child, the police said. The authorities noted that all of the charges were related to the 13-month-old victim. Judge Robert Altham, who presided at Monday's brief hearing, set the trial date for April 14, 2026. Both defendants were remanded into custody and will remain in prison awaiting a plea hearing in October, according to local daily The Blackpool Gazette. The judge noted that while he regretted the delay, it would ensure that all expert witnesses were ready for future proceedings, the newspaper wrote on Monday. Varley has been suspended from work since 2023, according to the Cidari Multi Academy Trust, which now runs the school where he was employed at the time of the alleged crime. 'He has not been permitted onto, or attended school premises, or been permitted to contact pupils or colleagues,' the organization told the Blackpool Gazette in a statement. The trust is reportedly 'considering its position in relation' to Varley's employment. 'Jamie was suspended on full pay as we are legally obliged to do,' Cidari told the local newspaper when asked whether Varley has been receiving a salary since his 2023 arrest.
BBC News
a day ago
- Health
- BBC News
'My blood cancer was dismissed as a pulled muscle'
A former footballer has told how he was in "complete shock" after being diagnosed with blood cancer - after first believing the pain was from a pulled Tottoh was diagnosed with myeloma after months of rib and back father-of-three, from Freckleton in Lancashire, when to the GP after feeling a "searing pain" that made him feel like he had broken a rib when taking a swing on the golf course in 2021."When I was diagnosed, I had holey bones in my ribs, thighs, spine and skull," said the 68-year-old, who played for Preston North End in the 1980s. He said he had twinges in his ribs and back for a year and a half before his diagnosis, but initially put them down to playing a lot of the pain got worse in the middle of 2020, he consulted his GP who told him he had likely pulled a muscle and that the twinges would sort themselves out. "It progressed over months to being quite debilitating," he recalled. "It got to a point where it started having a real impact on my life."After blood tests he was diagnosed with myeloma in August 2021. "Being struck down with this was a complete shock," he said. "My dad had died of cancer and then, in the last 12 years, two of my brothers died of cancer. I thought it was the end."But the team at Blackpool Victoria Hospital "were amazing", he said. Mr Tottoh had radiotherapy to treat the damage to his bones. He then had chemotherapy, followed by a stem cell transplant and has been in remission since November 2022. 'Positive mindset' Throughout, the support of family and friends has been invaluable, he said."It takes a small army to get you through this ordeal," said Mr Tottoh, who is still on maintenance treatment to keep his cancer at bay for as long as possible. "The most important thing now is having people in your corner, people who care, people who lift you up when you're down. "My family and closest friends have done that."Nearly five years on from his diagnosis, Mr Tottoh is now determined to make memories with his family and his grandson Theo, nine."My mindset is really positive," he said. "I will see my grandson go to university and get married - if that's what he wants to do. I will see my kids fulfil their dreams. "Right now, I'm in an amazing place and I'm on the path to living with myeloma for a very long time."He said if anyone feels unsure about any symptoms they may have, they should visit the doctor."Nobody knows your body better than you, so own it," he said. Myeloma Myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that occurs in the bone marrowDespite being the third most common type of blood cancer, myeloma is difficult to detect as symptoms are often linked to general ageing or minor conditionsWhile it is incurable, myeloma is treatable in the majority of casesTreatment can lead to periods of remission but the cancer will inevitably come backSource Myeloma UK Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Rhyl Journal
22-05-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Football fan jailed for five years after fatal pub fight
Jake Balmforth, 35, punched Tony Johnson, 55, as rival fans clashed outside the Manchester pub on Blackpool Promenade on a Saturday evening after Blackpool played Burnley on March 4 2023. Mr Johnson, 55, from Blackpool, suffered a serious head injury and died in hospital two days later without regaining consciousness. The disturbance happened at around 7.20pm after the Championship game earlier in the day in Blackpool. Balmforth had travelled to the Lancashire resort to watch Burnley and was in the Manchester pub which was a designated pub for Burnley supporters. Mr Johnson was among a group of Blackpool fans who gathered outside the pub. During the trouble that followed, Balmforth punched Mr Johnson once in the face, and the incident was caught on CCTV. Police at the scene provided emergency medical assistance before Mr Johnson was taken to the Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Balmforth, of Tarvin Close, Burnley, was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury at Preston Crown Court after a six-day trial earlier this month. Judge Robert Altham, the Honorary Recorder of Preston, jailed him for five years at the same court on Thursday. Balmforth was also given a nine-year order banning him from football grounds. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows of Lancashire Constabulary's Major Investigation Team said: 'My thoughts remain very much with Tony Johnson's family. 'It has been a harrowing experience for them over the last two years, losing a loved one and having to relive the events of the evening of 4 March 2023 during the trial. 'This case shows how outbreaks of violence can lead to tragedy and what the terrible consequences of one punch can be. 'Jake Balmforth was convicted by the jury of Mr Johnson's manslaughter and will have to carry that burden for the rest of his life.' Eight other men who pleaded guilty to affray will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on August 4.
North Wales Chronicle
22-05-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Football fan jailed for five years after fatal pub fight
Jake Balmforth, 35, punched Tony Johnson, 55, as rival fans clashed outside the Manchester pub on Blackpool Promenade on a Saturday evening after Blackpool played Burnley on March 4 2023. Mr Johnson, 55, from Blackpool, suffered a serious head injury and died in hospital two days later without regaining consciousness. The disturbance happened at around 7.20pm after the Championship game earlier in the day in Blackpool. Balmforth had travelled to the Lancashire resort to watch Burnley and was in the Manchester pub which was a designated pub for Burnley supporters. Mr Johnson was among a group of Blackpool fans who gathered outside the pub. During the trouble that followed, Balmforth punched Mr Johnson once in the face, and the incident was caught on CCTV. Police at the scene provided emergency medical assistance before Mr Johnson was taken to the Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Balmforth, of Tarvin Close, Burnley, was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury at Preston Crown Court after a six-day trial earlier this month. Judge Robert Altham, the Honorary Recorder of Preston, jailed him for five years at the same court on Thursday. Balmforth was also given a nine-year order banning him from football grounds. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows of Lancashire Constabulary's Major Investigation Team said: 'My thoughts remain very much with Tony Johnson's family. 'It has been a harrowing experience for them over the last two years, losing a loved one and having to relive the events of the evening of 4 March 2023 during the trial. 'This case shows how outbreaks of violence can lead to tragedy and what the terrible consequences of one punch can be. 'Jake Balmforth was convicted by the jury of Mr Johnson's manslaughter and will have to carry that burden for the rest of his life.' Eight other men who pleaded guilty to affray will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on August 4.
BBC News
11-02-2025
- BBC News
Blackpool: Man dies after being hit by car as he crossed road
A man has died after being struck by a car as he crossed the road in happened on a pedestrian crossing on Plymouth Road, close to the junction with Mowbray Drive, at about 19:55 GMT on Monday, Lancashire Police said.A man in his 70s from St Annes suffered serious injuries and was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for treatment where he later died.A 43-year-old man from Blackpool was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and is in custody. Police have appealed for any witnesses to contact them. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
